Columbia is a famous gold rush town, which began in March of 1850 when gold was first discovered there. By the month�s end, more than 1,000 prospectors had moved into a tent and shantytown housing. At first, the town was called American Camp, but was later changed to its permanent name, Columbia. In 1945, California legislature appropriated money to preserve Columbia as the gold rush town it had been with the creation of the Columbia State Historic Park in downtown Columbia.
LOCATION
Columbia is located in Tuolumne County in the middle of California�s Gold Country. It is off of Highway 49, north of Sonora and west of Twain Harte. It is 140 miles from San Francisco and 76 miles from Yosemite Valley. Highway 108 at Modesto is the one to travel off of Highway 99 in order to get there. Then take J59 to Highway 49 right to Columbia and Columbia State Historic Park.
TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORTS
Columbia can be reached via two small airports in the area-Columbia and Pine Mountain Lake Airports. The larger San Francisco International Airport is only about a 2-hour drive away. The Fresno Yosemite Airport is less than an hour and a half away. Many California highways and interstates get you to Columbia from any destination around the State. During the winter months be sure to carry chains and check with CalTrans for travel information in and around the Sierra Nevada foothills and nearby State Parks.
BRIEF HISTORY
Dr. Thaddeus Hildreth and his brother, George and others had made a camp nearby and first found gold in Columbia in March of 1850. Thousands of miners flocked there and by the end of the month a shantytown was established. By the end of the first year, water, which the miners used extensively, was about to run out. No natural supply existed in the area. In June of 1851, Tuolumne Water Company was formed to bring water to the area. Since their rates were so high, in 1854 miners banded together to form the Columbia and Stanislaus River Company, which built a 60-mile aqueduct. This system wasn�t completed until 4 years later when most of the miners were moving out. Then Tuolumne Water Company bought the million-dollar system for $150,000. Meanwhile the town was being developed and by 1852 there were more than 150 shops, stores, saloons, and other businesses and the streets were laid out. For a while, Columbia was the 2nd largest city in California.
A few fires during this time burned down many wooden buildings that were quickly rebuilt with brick and other fire preventative materials and volunteer fire companies emerged. Between the 1850�s and the 1870�s, gold mined there equaled one-half a billion dollars at today�s value. During the 1860�s population declined and during the 1870�s and 1880�s there were only 500 residents remaining. Columbia was never completely deserted. Finally in 1945, California State funds and public monies refurbished the historic buildings in the old downtown district of Columbia to create Columbia State Historic Park where the gold rush era can still be enjoyed today.
ABOUT EDUCATION
Tuolumne County serves the 8,500 children in Tuolumne County. They cater to the diversified population of children within the 12 public school districts, which includes one unified school district, two high school districts, and a community college. Tuolumne County office of Superintendent provides guidance and leadership for a strong instructional program in the schools from kindergarten through high school. There are also 4 private schools with an enrollment of over 50. Columbia has Columbia Elementary and Shaws Flat Campus.
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