Volcano
Volcano produced $90 million in gold and was home to California's first astronomical observatory (18
State: California
County: Amador County
Founded: 1849
Volcano produced $90 million in gold and was home to California's first astronomical observatory (1860), where the Great Comet of 1861 was discovered. It had 17 hotels at peak. Gold from Volcano supported the Union during the Civil War. The 1883 Anti-Debris Act ended hydraulic mining and sealed its decline.
Timeline
- 1849 - Discovery Soldiers discovered gold at Soldier's Gulch.
- 1853 - Boomtown 11 stores, 6 hotels, 3 bakeries, 3 saloons established.
- 1855 - Hydraulic Mining Introduction of hydraulic mining drew thousands. 17 hotels operating.
- 1860 - First Observatory George Madeira built California's first astronomical observatory.
- 1861 - Great Comet The Great Comet of 1861 discovered from Volcano's observatory.
- 1857-1868 - Decline Gold scarcity, newspaper closure, devastating fire.
- 1883 - Anti-Debris Act Hydraulic mining banned statewide, ending Volcano's economic base.
Plan Your Visit
Best Time: Spring or fall
Difficulty: Easy
Time Needed: 1-2 hours
Tips
- St. George Hotel still operates
- Old jail preserved
- Observatory site is California Historical Landmark
- Near daffodil fields (spring)
Quick Facts
- Home to California's first astronomical observatory (1860)
- The Great Comet of 1861 was discovered here
- $90 million in gold extracted
- Not volcanic—named for bowl-shaped depression
Location
Address: Volcano, Amador County, California
Coordinates: 38.4425, -120.6306