Historic Towns
Angels Camp
Henry Angel, of Rhode Island, a shopkeeper who started a trading post in the camp during the Gold Rush of 1848 has the honor of having the town of Angels Camp named after him. At one point in Angels Camp's early history there were as many as 4,000 miners working the claims. The Surface gold however, quickly diminished, leaving only the hard rock mining industry, which flourished until recently. In the fall of 1865 a young Mark Twain, who was at the time living in a small cabin on "Jackass Hill", overheard a story in a hotel bar, and later penned the now famous "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County". It was the literary piece that made Mark Twain a household name. Angels Camp offers a historic walking tour. Visit 52 historic buildings and sites. Pick up map at Calaveras County Visitors Center in Angels Camp.
Arnold
During the Gold Rush many people came to Calaveras County in search of gold but there were those who would find wealth in other industries as well. Arnold was made up of a logging industry with the first mill opening in the 1860's. It was the main industry until 1962 when the Blagen Mill, located in White Pines closed. Arnold received its name from Bernice and Bob Arnold who came to Arnold in 1927. They built the Ebbets Pass Inn and Restaurant which was completed in 1939. This is also the same year Highway 4 became a State Highway
Avery
A scenic small town located on Hwy 4, east of Angeles Camp, close to wine country and skiing. Avery has been a stopping off place for over a century. The Avery Hotel Restaurant and Saloon was known as the "Half Way House" because of its location between the gold fields of Murphys and the giant Sequoia groves now known as Calaveras Big Trees State Park. The Avery Hotel Restaurant and Saloon was built in 1853 and the oldest continually operating hotel in Calaveras.
Copperopolis
Known for its Copper Mines in the 1800's. 19 million pounds of copper were mined during the 1860's, making Calaveras County second in national production of copper. When visiting Copperopolis you can enjoy restored historical artifacts and workshop sites.
Located on Hwy 4 between Murphys and Bear Valley. The Dorrington Hotel and Restaurant was built in 1860 and was a stagecoach stop on the Big Trees-Carson Valley Toll Road that served as a depot for stockmen and as a summer resort for international guests visiting the giant Sequoia redwoods. Spring time proved to be very cold, therefore Dorrington's previous name of Cold Spring Ranch until 1902. Dorrington boasts the second largest Sugar Pine in the world, measuring 32 feet in circumference and 220 feet tall.
Mokelumne Hill
Founded in 1848 and one of the richest towns along the Mother Lode, many fortunes were made in Mokelumne Hill. It was the county seat in the past and known as one of the most violent towns in the Mother Lode. Long ago the town hosted a population of 15,000, today with a much smaller population, you will still enjoy this historic town with many of its original buildings and an old west atmosphere. Mokelumne Hill is located on Hwy 49 between Jackson and San Andreas. Mokelumne Hill offers an historical walking tour. Visit 41 historic buildings and sites. Pick up map at Calaveras County Visitors Center.
Murphys
Named for Daniel and John Murphy who settled in the area in 1848. Founded as a trading post the brothers did some trading selling supplies at inflated prices from a tent they set up. They also used the local Indians for labor for their mining operations. These brothers were rumored to be millionaires before they turned twenty five. When A.T. Dowd discovered the grove of Giant Sequoia Redwoods, only 15 miles from Murphys, he put Calaveras on the international map. With this new discovery came an influx of travelers to this area. To accommodate all these people, in 1855 the Sperry and Perry Hotel (now the Murphys Historic Hotel and Lodge) was built in Murphys. On the old hotel register names such as Mark Twain, Horatio Alger, Ulysses S. Grant, Charles Bolton, aka Black Bart as well as Susan B. Anthony were some of the famous people to visit this beautiful area. Today Murphys is a quaint town filled with art galleries, fine dining, and an assortment of boutiques, bookstores, and so much more. Experience the history through museums and historic buildings dating back from the 1800's. Murphys offers an historic walking tour. Visit 55 historic buildings and sites. Pick up map at Calaveras County Visitors Center.