State atlas · filed under CA
Ghost Towns of California
California invented the American boomtown and has buried more of them than any state: Gold Rush camps of the Sierra, borax and silver towns of the deserts, utopian colonies, and company towns — each wave leaving its own ring of ruins.
4,017 sites surveyed across California — 19 charted with full records so far, entered by year of settlement. The rest are awaiting verification.
✕Charted — click for the recordSurveyed — records pending
Survey note
The federal place-name archive records 4,017 vanished or historical sites in California — ghost towns, mining camps, townsites, and railroad stops. We chart them a few at a time, as the records can be verified. Every mark on this map is a place that once had a name.
TownYearsLast pop.Classification
ShastaShasta Co.Historic TownsiteChinese CampTuolumne Co.Near-AbandonedNorth BloomfieldNevada Co.Historic TownsiteBodieMono Co.Verified Ghost TownCerro GordoInyo Co.Verified Ghost TownPanamint CityInyo Co.Verified Ghost TownDarwinInyo Co.Near-AbandonedDrawbridgeAlameda Co.Vanished PlaceKeelerInyo Co.Near-AbandonedCalicoSan Bernardino Co.Historic TownsiteAmboySan Bernardino Co.Near-AbandonedRandsburgKern Co.Near-AbandonedBallaratInyo Co.Near-AbandonedMasonicMono Co.Verified Ghost TownSkidooInyo Co.Vanished PlaceAllensworthTulare Co.Historic TownsiteLlano del RioLos Angeles Co.Vanished PlaceZzyzxSan Bernardino Co.Historic TownsiteEagle MountainRiverside Co.Verified Ghost Town
Society Pro
See California as the surveyors drew it, 1879 to 1919
1,549 USGS survey sheets from those years cover California. Pro lays them over today's map with a swipe between then and now, and adds every mine feature, lost place and mineral site the federal record holds for the state.
61,347mine features
42,772mineral sites
3,320lost places
1,549survey sheets
The full survey ledger
Every vanished town the federal archive records in California — each with its own record page, verified and expanded over time.
AbbatoMerced Co.AcmeSan Bernardino Co.AcornSanta Barbara Co.AhwinSanta Barbara Co.AilsaSan Bernardino Co.AlfacTulare Co.AlgodonYuba Co.AlmaSanta Cruz Co.AlphaNevada Co.AlpineLos Angeles Co.AltaSan Diego Co.Alta VistaTulare Co.AmbroseContra Costa Co.American HillSierra Co.AndoverPlacer Co.AntelopeSierra Co.ArgentinePlumas Co.ArnoSacramento Co.ArnoldStanislaus Co.ArundelMerced Co.AscoAlameda Co.AshMadera Co.Ash Creek StationSiskiyou Co.Ashford MillInyo Co.Asphalt MinesSan Luis Obispo Co.AsphaltoKern Co.AuldRiverside Co.AvenaSan Joaquin Co.Badger HillNevada Co.Bailey FlatsMadera Co.BairdShasta Co.BaltimorePlacer Co.BamomEl Dorado Co.BannerKings Co.BarkervilleLake Co.BartoloLos Angeles Co.BathPlacer Co.BaxterSan Bernardino Co.BayhaShasta Co.BayleyModoc Co.BeanKings Co.Bear ValleyNevada Co.BelfastSan Bernardino Co.BellevueMerced Co.BellotaSan Joaquin Co.Bells BarPlumas Co.BeltaineSonoma Co.BenderFresno Co.BennettvilleMono Co.BerniceImperial Co.BetabelSanta Clara Co.BidwellButte Co.Bidwell BarButte Co.Big RipplesButte Co.BihlmanSutter Co.BismarckSan Bernardino Co.BlinzingButte Co.BlissYuba Co.BloomerButte Co.BlumenbergSacramento Co.BontesPlumas Co.BothinMarin Co.BragdonTrinity Co.BransonSan Diego Co.BriggstonSolano Co.BritonaYolo Co.Brock CreekHumboldt Co.BrongeFresno Co.BrownsSan Bernardino Co.BrownstoneVentura Co.BrushButte Co.Buckeye FlatEl Dorado Co.Buena VistaNevada Co.Bullards BarYuba Co.BurchellMerced Co.BurlingTulare Co.ButlerFresno Co.ButlersImperial Co.Butte HouseSutter Co.CaldwellFresno Co.CalebRiverside Co.CalifaMadera Co.CalkinsShasta Co.CalvadaSierra Co.CamancheCalaveras Co.CambioKern Co.CanebrakeKern Co.CantaraSiskiyou Co.CarbondaleOrange Co.CarnerosNapa Co.CaymusNapa Co.Cedar SpringsSan Bernardino Co.CentervilleHumboldt Co.CentervilleSierra Co.CentervilleAlpine Co.Central ValleyShasta Co.ChampionNevada Co.ChandlerLos Angeles Co.ChandlerSutter Co.ChandonButte Co.ChasesPlumas Co.ChatsLassen Co.CherrySonoma Co.China GulchPlumas Co.ChinatownSanta Clara Co.ChinatownAmador Co.Chloride CityInyo Co.ChrysopolisInyo Co.ChurntownShasta Co.CiceroSacramento Co.Cinnabar SpringsSiskiyou Co.ClaytonLos Angeles Co.ClemsSanta Cruz Co.ClintonAlameda Co.Cold SpringSierra Co.CollinsFresno Co.CollinsSan Bernardino Co.Condemned BarYuba Co.ConleySacramento Co.CoombsYuba Co.CorneliusSutter Co.CornwellKings Co.CoronaSonoma Co.Coronado HeightsSan Diego Co.Coyote Valley RancheriaMendocino Co.CraigButte Co.CrittendonMendocino Co.CroniseSan Bernardino Co.CrowPlumas Co.Crystal SpringsNevada Co.CubaMerced Co.CuneoKings Co.CuyamacaSan Diego Co.DaumOrange Co.DavidButte Co.DeadwoodSierra Co.DelaneyPlumas Co.DellsSan Bernardino Co.DemocratNevada Co.DenmanSonoma Co.DentensPlumas Co.Desert ReliefLos Angeles Co.Dew DropAmador Co.DickensonMerced Co.DickersonFresno Co.DillonNevada Co.DocasMonterey Co.Dog TownMono Co.DonSan Diego Co.DonahueSonoma Co.DoveSan Luis Obispo Co.DrawbridgeAlameda Co.DrumPlacer Co.DumontSan Bernardino Co.DunbartonMonterey Co.DunlapMendocino Co.DuriSan Benito Co.Dyer PlaceHumboldt Co.DyervilleHumboldt Co.EadsSan Bernardino Co.Eagle BirdNevada Co.Eagle TreeSan Joaquin Co.EagletSan Luis Obispo Co.EairesKern Co.EastlakeLake Co.EddyvilleHumboldt Co.EdendaleMerced Co.EdendaleLos Angeles Co.EdgemontLassen Co.EdmantonPlumas Co.El CapitanSan Diego Co.El Nido Mobile Home EstatesOrange Co.El PradoFresno Co.ElinorHumboldt Co.Elk GroveHumboldt Co.ElliotAlameda Co.ElliottSan Joaquin Co.EllisShasta Co.ElmoreShasta Co.ElnaInyo Co.ElvatonYolo Co.ElviraSan Diego Co.ElySonoma Co.EmpireMendocino Co.EmpireContra Costa Co.English BarPlumas Co.EnsignTehama Co.EnterpriseButte Co.EricKern Co.ErleYuba Co.ErnerHumboldt Co.ErtlergerHumboldt Co.EshelFresno Co.EskiniButte Co.EsmarStanislaus Co.EsperanzaSiskiyou Co.EtiwaSan Bernardino Co.EurekaSierra Co.EvergreenLos Angeles Co.Eyese BarSiskiyou Co.Fairoaks BridgeSacramento Co.Falling SpringsLos Angeles Co.FargoFresno Co.FarleySanta Cruz Co.Feather River InnPlumas Co.FeliceSonoma Co.FepSan Benito Co.Ferry PointSiskiyou Co.FitzpatrickShasta Co.Flat RavinePlacer Co.Flea ValleyButte Co.FletcherModoc Co.FlosdenSolano Co.FluhrKern Co.ForbesMarin Co.Forest HomeAmador Co.Forest SpringNevada Co.Fort CampFresno Co.Fort MillerMadera Co.Fort Ord VillageMonterey Co.Fort PiuteSan Bernardino Co.Foster BarYuba Co.FramKern Co.Frenches RavineYuba Co.Fresno BeachFresno Co.Fresno CityFresno Co.FrostsEl Dorado Co.FurnaceInyo Co.FurnacevilleShasta Co.GabilanMonterey Co.GadwallMerced Co.Galena HillYuba Co.Garden ValleyYuba Co.GaspurLos Angeles Co.Giant OakTulare Co.GiltaSiskiyou Co.GogginsPlacer Co.Gold LakeButte Co.Gold TownKern Co.GolfMarin Co.GoumazLassen Co.GrahamSacramento Co.GrahamSiskiyou Co.GranzFresno Co.GrapelandSan Bernardino Co.GreekstorePlacer Co.GreenspotSan Bernardino Co.GreenvilleAlameda Co.GreenwaterInyo Co.GreenwoodSonoma Co.Grey RocksTulare Co.GreystoneSanta Clara Co.Gridley Colony Number OneButte Co.Gridley Colony Number TwoButte Co.Grizzly BluffHumboldt Co.Grizzly GulchSierra Co.Grub GulchMadera Co.GuadalupeSanta Clara Co.GuenocLake Co.GypsumOrange Co.HalleyStanislaus Co.HarbineSonoma Co.HardinMendocino Co.HartSan Bernardino Co.HartShasta Co.HaselbuschButte Co.HassetKings Co.Hatfield PlaceTehama Co.HawesSan Bernardino Co.Hawk RavineButte Co.HawkinsTulare Co.HebronYolo Co.HeinlenvilleSanta Clara Co.Heitman PlaceTehama Co.HenryfordShasta Co.HicksonLos Angeles Co.HighlandSanta Cruz Co.HillsideMadera Co.HodsonCalaveras Co.HoffMerced Co.HogtownShasta Co.Holland SummitLos Angeles Co.HollenbeckModoc Co.HoltonLos Angeles Co.HooperContra Costa Co.HoopervilleSiskiyou Co.HopeTulare Co.HopyardSonoma Co.HoustonSiskiyou Co.HoustonShasta Co.Howard MillLake Co.HumeButte Co.Hunts HillNevada Co.HyperionLos Angeles Co.IllinoistownPlacer Co.IndakEl Dorado Co.Indian HillSierra Co.InmansKern Co.Irish PlaceTehama Co.IrishtownAmador Co.IrvingMarin Co.IsabellaKern Co.IsaiahButte Co.JacobsenEl Dorado Co.JalamaSanta Barbara Co.JamisonPlumas Co.JesbelMadera Co.Jones BarNevada Co.Kaci-badonLake Co.KellyShasta Co.KennettShasta Co.KenoTrinity Co.KerbyPlumas Co.KernvilleKern Co.KhoonkhwuttunneDel Norte Co.KhwunrghunmeDel Norte Co.KimballvilleVentura Co.KimbleKings Co.KingSan Bernardino Co.KingstonKings Co.KobeYolo Co.KolomaEl Dorado Co.Kramer HillsSan Bernardino Co.KunuqugSanta Barbara Co.KurandGlenn Co.KworatemHumboldt Co.KyanKern Co.La BranzaMerced Co.La RoseKern Co.LacrestaSonoma Co.LadrilloSan Diego Co.LambertSacramento Co.Lancha PlanaAmador Co.LandButte Co.Lane MillInyo Co.Lane Redwood FlatMendocino Co.LangsNevada Co.LankershimMadera Co.Las PlumasButte Co.Las UvasSan Bernardino Co.LasslysYuba Co.LaugenourYolo Co.Lava BedsButte Co.Lawyers BarDel Norte Co.LeemanYolo Co.LeliterKern Co.LemponTulare Co.LeonardSanta Cruz Co.Leonard PlaceTehama Co.LeonardsKern Co.LetcherFresno Co.LethentKings Co.LeveeKern Co.LexingtonSanta Clara Co.Lila CInyo Co.LillienthalShasta Co.LillisFresno Co.LincolnMadera Co.Linda VistaSan Diego Co.LinoraMerced Co.Little DixieKern Co.Little JamisonPlumas Co.Little YorkNevada Co.LiwaitoYolo Co.LockhartsHumboldt Co.Lookout CityInyo Co.LorraineButte Co.Los PitosVentura Co.LovejoyPlumas Co.Lower RancheriaAmador Co.LurlineColusa Co.LymanGlenn Co.MabelShasta Co.MaceSan Bernardino Co.MachadoLos Angeles Co.MadroneSonoma Co.Madrone Soda SpringsSanta Clara Co.MagnetMadera Co.Magnetic SpringSanta Cruz Co.MailliardMarin Co.MakahmoSonoma Co.MalakoffNevada Co.Malibu Mar VistaLos Angeles Co.MallardAlameda Co.MaltonGlenn Co.MarcuseSutter Co.MargueriteMerced Co.MarigoldYuba Co.Martins FerryHumboldt Co.MartyYolo Co.MaxwelltonSan Luis Obispo Co.MayAmador Co.MaybertNevada Co.MayflowerPlacer Co.MayflowerImperial Co.McCauleySonoma Co.McKenzie SpringFresno Co.McMahonsSierra Co.McMullinFresno Co.MedanoMadera Co.MendozaSutter Co.MentryvilleLos Angeles Co.MeriendaAlameda Co.MetcalfSiskiyou Co.MeyersStanislaus Co.Michigan BarSacramento Co.MichopdoButte Co.Middle WatersSierra Co.MiddletownShasta Co.Mill CityMono Co.MillarSolano Co.MillerMarin Co.MillertownPlacer Co.Millham CityKings Co.Milligan DistrictAmador Co.MillsholmGlenn Co.MillspaughInyo Co.MillwoodFresno Co.MiltonSierra Co.MinersvilleTrinity Co.MirabelLake Co.Miracle Hot SpringsKern Co.MirafloresOrange Co.MiscanakaVentura Co.MishopshnowSanta Barbara Co.Mission La PurisimaSanta Barbara Co.MonacheTulare Co.Mono VillageMono Co.MonroevilleGlenn Co.Monte CristoSierra Co.MonticelloNapa Co.MorleyShasta Co.MoseleyButte Co.MosquitoEl Dorado Co.MotordromeLos Angeles Co.Mound CitySan Bernardino Co.Mount BullionAlpine Co.Mount Hope HouseYuba Co.Mount VernonSierra Co.MullenYolo Co.MurocKern Co.MusickSan Luis Obispo Co.MuskTulare Co.Mussey GroveSan Diego Co.MyomaRiverside Co.NairnMerced Co.NarboMadera Co.NaresFresno Co.NavajoSan Luis Obispo Co.Nelson BarButte Co.NemaSanta Clara Co.NeuraliaKern Co.NevillsFresno Co.New BlinzingButte Co.New BrightonSanta Cruz Co.New HopeSan Joaquin Co.New York FlatYuba Co.NewtownMariposa Co.NinemileTehama Co.NorgaarTrinity Co.North MurocKern Co.North WawonaMariposa Co.NorthamOrange Co.NorvalCalaveras Co.NugaSanta Cruz Co.Oak BottomShasta Co.Oak GroveYuba Co.OakhurstFresno Co.ObergLos Angeles Co.OdessaKings Co.OhmerContra Costa Co.Old ChinatownLos Angeles Co.OleoOrange Co.OligKern Co.OlindaOrange Co.Olive SpringsSanta Cruz Co.OliverYuba Co.Oo-moo-chahSacramento Co.OpegoiHumboldt Co.Ore'qHumboldt Co.OrellaSanta Barbara Co.OrionKings Co.OrlemTulare Co.OvejoMadera Co.PackwoodKern Co.Palisades Del ReyLos Angeles Co.PalmerSanta Barbara Co.PalomaKern Co.PanamenikHumboldt Co.PaolaModoc Co.PatsiluvraSiskiyou Co.PattiwayKern Co.PeartYolo Co.PeaseSutter Co.PekwanHumboldt Co.PekwuteuHumboldt Co.PetersburgKern Co.PetroKern Co.PetroleumSanta Cruz Co.PipersButte Co.PiuteKern Co.PlainsMadera Co.PlantelSanta Clara Co.Pleasant GroveTulare Co.PleytoMonterey Co.Plumas EurekaPlumas Co.PlumtreeYolo Co.PoeSan Bernardino Co.Point ReyesMarin Co.Point Sal LandingSanta Barbara Co.PokervilleAmador Co.PolomaSan Luis Obispo Co.PomarSanta Clara Co.PomeroySiskiyou Co.Port ChicagoContra Costa Co.Port WatsonvilleSanta Cruz Co.PortexTulare Co.Poway GroveSan Diego Co.PrewitTulare Co.PrimeroTulare Co.PrizeColusa Co.Project CityShasta Co.ProsserNevada Co.ProvidenceNevada Co.Pueblo de FigueroaSanta Cruz Co.PurisimaSan Mateo Co.Quaker HillNevada Co.QuartzButte Co.RadumAlameda Co.RalstonPlacer Co.RankinMendocino Co.RannellsRiverside Co.RapettiSanta Cruz Co.Red PointPlacer Co.Redbud ParkNapa Co.RedrockKern Co.ReedsSan Luis Obispo Co.Reefer CityKern Co.ReillyInyo Co.RekaFresno Co.RekwoiDel Norte Co.RemillardAlameda Co.Remington HillNevada Co.ReynoldsTulare Co.ReynoldsMendocino Co.Reynolds PlaceGlenn Co.RichlandButte Co.RinckelShasta Co.River GardenMendocino Co.RiverviewFresno Co.RivieraSutter Co.RoadamiteSanta Barbara Co.RobertAlameda Co.RobinsonFresno Co.Rock HavenSan Diego Co.Rock SpringsKern Co.RondaYolo Co.RoseSonoma Co.Round ValleyPlumas Co.RoutierSacramento Co.RowesMendocino Co.Rubicon SpringsEl Dorado Co.RuggFresno Co.RunnymeadeSan Mateo Co.Runnymede Poultry ColonyLos Angeles Co.SageKern Co.Saint ElmoSan Bernardino Co.Salmon FallsEl Dorado Co.SalsburySacramento Co.SaltdaleKern Co.San SevaineSan Bernardino Co.SandspurTulare Co.SansMonterey Co.Santa YsabelOrange Co.SavannahLos Angeles Co.Sawyers CrossingSanta Clara Co.SchwaubInyo Co.Scovern Hot SpringsKern Co.SearsvilleSan Mateo Co.Secret CanyonPlacer Co.SelwynSan Diego Co.SentinelFresno Co.Shady RestKern Co.ShamrockImperial Co.ShandsNevada Co.Shelby FlatNevada Co.SherburnsMendocino Co.ShippFresno Co.ShisholopSanta Barbara Co.ShregegonHumboldt Co.ShumigHumboldt Co.SibagnaLos Angeles Co.SidesTulare Co.Signal PortMendocino Co.SilongkoyoPlumas Co.Silvas GroveSacramento Co.Silver CreekPlumas Co.Silver MountainAlpine Co.SkidooInyo Co.SmithHumboldt Co.SmyrnaTulare Co.Snow PointNevada Co.Snow TentNevada Co.Snug Harbor Trailer ParkOrange Co.Solano CitySolano Co.Soledad Sulphur SpringsLos Angeles Co.SolonKern Co.SomisVentura Co.SotoButte Co.South ForkButte Co.South WawonaMariposa Co.SpaTulare Co.SparkvilleFresno Co.SprucePlacer Co.Squeaky SpringsImperial Co.Squirrel CreekPlumas Co.StaffordSutter Co.StanfordPlacer Co.SteeleSan Luis Obispo Co.StewartStanislaus Co.StrandKern Co.StringtownTrinity Co.StriplinSutter Co.StronettaMendocino Co.SucrosaVentura Co.SugarOrange Co.SullivanKern Co.Sulphur SpringsSolano Co.SummersKern Co.SummervilleTehama Co.SummitSan Luis Obispo Co.Summit CityNevada Co.Summit CityShasta Co.SunlandInyo Co.SunnysideMendocino Co.SutyModoc Co.Swedes FlatButte Co.Sydney TownSan Francisco Co.SylvandaleMendocino Co.TaisonSan Joaquin Co.TalbotMadera Co.TalcSan Bernardino Co.TamarackPlacer Co.TanoakHumboldt Co.TasikoyoPlumas Co.TatlatunneDel Norte Co.TaylorvilleMarin Co.TeagleKern Co.TeaguevilleVentura Co.TenmileTehama Co.TennantSanta Clara Co.Tent CitySan Diego Co.TereseKern Co.TernezVentura Co.The HomesteadSan Joaquin Co.The PinesSan Bernardino Co.TiffinTulare Co.TillmanMadera Co.Tin ShackSan Bernardino Co.TippecanoeSierra Co.ToscoRiverside Co.Tragedy SpringAmador Co.TrescapeKern Co.TrevesKern Co.TsurauHumboldt Co.Tuolumne CityStanislaus Co.TurnbullTulare Co.TylerMadera Co.UnionvilleSierra Co.VaccaroKern Co.VandenSolano Co.VanormerStanislaus Co.VanrisFresno Co.VegaMonterey Co.VineyardSan Benito Co.VioletSolano Co.WagnersButte Co.WahooLos Angeles Co.Wainwright VillageSan Joaquin Co.Walker PlaceTehama Co.WalkerminePlumas Co.Walton PlaceLos Angeles Co.WandaOrange Co.WarrenKern Co.WarrenKern Co.WaughShasta Co.Waukell FlatDel Norte Co.Weeks Poultry ColonyLos Angeles Co.Wene'meVentura Co.West AlpaughTulare Co.West BakerKern Co.West HumboldtHumboldt Co.Westend Galatin PlaceTehama Co.WhitehouseShasta Co.WildwoodSonoma Co.WilliamsSonoma Co.Willow GlenMadera Co.WilsonaLos Angeles Co.WinthropShasta Co.Witter SpringsLake Co.WokodotNevada Co.WolfortsSan Luis Obispo Co.WorthingTulare Co.WycoffYolo Co.YdaloomShasta Co.Youngs HillYuba Co.YsidoraSan Diego Co.YubaYuba Co.YulupaSonoma Co.YumanButte Co.YupuSutter Co.