Mokelumne Hill

History

Mokelumne Hill was one of the richest gold mining towns in California. Founded in 1848 by a group of Oregonians, the placers were so rich that the miners risked starvation rather than head to Stockton to replenish their supplies (one finally did and made it rich by becoming a merchant). Soon after, gold was discovered in the nearby hills, so much so that miners were restricted to claims of , and yet many of those claims were reported to have paid up to $20,000. By 1850 the town was one of the largest in the area. Its population reached as high as 15,000 with people of all nationalities, particularly Americans, Frenchmen, Germans, Spaniards, Chileans, Mexicans, and Chinese. Besides racial tensions, the easy gold attracted criminal elements, and the town gained a reputation as one of the bawdiest in the area. Notorious bandit Joaquin Murrieta is said to have been a frequent visitor to the gambling venues. Violence was a major problem as well. In 1851, there was at least one homicide a week for seventeen consecutive weeks. On January 3, 1850, the town was site where Chileans involved in the Chile War of 1849 were punished. Three were executed, nine received 100 lashes each and one was cropped. The severity of these punishment stand out as corporal punishment including maiming were otherwise in decline in the Western world. Also in 1851, the first post office was established in the town, and in 1852 the town became the county seat. In the same year a vigilance committee was formed and the worst of the crime was eliminated. By the 1860s the gold started to run out and the town's population and importance diminished. When San Andreas became the new county seat in 1866, Mokelumne Hill's status declined even further. The town today is a quiet place, with much tourism due…

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 3.1 square miles (8.0 km), over 99% of it land. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Mokelumne Hill has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate, abbreviated "Csa" on climate maps.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• Calaveras High
  High · San Andreas · 746 students · 20.2:1 ratio
• Toyon Middle
  Middle · Valley Springs · 531 students · 23.1:1 ratio
• San Andreas Elementary
  Elementary · San Andreas · 320 students · 21.3:1 ratio
• Mokelumne Hill Elementary
  Elementary · Mokelumne Hill · 158 students · 19.8:1 ratio
• Calaveras Unified Alternative-Sierra Hills Education Center
  Other · San Andreas · 111 students · 27.8:1 ratio
• Gold Strike High
  High · San Andreas · 49 students · 49:1 ratio