North Bloomfield, California
Encyclopedia
North Bloomfield is a small unincorporated community located in Nevada County
, California
, United States
, 10 miles (16.1 km) northeast of Nevada City, California
.
Settled in 1852, it was originally named Humbug after the creek of the same name. As the settlement grew, it was re-named Humbug City, and then the more dignified Bloomfield. The settlement thrived during Malakoff Diggins
mining days. When a post office was established on June 1, 1857, residents selected the current name to differentiate the town from Bloomfield, California
.
In 1857, the population was approximately 500. Three years later, the North Bloomfield Mining and Gravel Company
arrived and began hydraulic mining
operations. By 1876, the population swelled to 2000. But in 1884, when hydraulic mining ended because of a lawsuit
by Sacramento
area farmers, North Bloomfield became an uninhabited San Juan Ridge
ghost town
.
In the present day, the town of North Bloomfield is contained within the Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park
. Some of the town’s original buildings remain and a few have been reconstructed:
The post office was open from 1857 to 1942, moving once in 1875.
Nevada County, California
Nevada County is a county located in the Sierra Nevada of California, in the Mother Lode country. As of 2010 its population was 98,764. The county seat is Nevada City.-History:Nevada County was created in 1851 from parts of Yuba County....
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 10 miles (16.1 km) northeast of Nevada City, California
Nevada City, California
-2010:The 2010 United States Census reported that Nevada City had a population of 3,068. The population density was 1,399.7 people per square mile . The racial makeup of Nevada City was 2,837 White, 26 African American, 28 Native American, 46 Asian, 0 Pacific Islander, 40 from other races,...
.
Settled in 1852, it was originally named Humbug after the creek of the same name. As the settlement grew, it was re-named Humbug City, and then the more dignified Bloomfield. The settlement thrived during Malakoff Diggins
Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park
Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park belongs to the California State Historic Park system, a part of the California Department of Parks and Recreation. Malakoff Diggins is the site of California's largest hydraulic mines...
mining days. When a post office was established on June 1, 1857, residents selected the current name to differentiate the town from Bloomfield, California
Bloomfield, California
Bloomfield is a census-designated place in Sonoma County, California, U.S. It is located in a rural area about southwest of Santa Rosa, California at the junction of Bloomfield Road and Valley Ford Road. Americano Creek flows westward along the south edge of the town.-History:Bloomfield is located...
.
In 1857, the population was approximately 500. Three years later, the North Bloomfield Mining and Gravel Company
North Bloomfield Mining and Gravel Company
The North Bloomfield Mining and Gravel Company of North Bloomfield, California, was established in 1866 and operated a hydraulic gold-mining operation at the Malakoff Mine subsequent to the California Gold Rush...
arrived and began hydraulic mining
Hydraulic mining
Hydraulic mining, or hydraulicking, is a form of mining that uses high-pressure jets of water to dislodge rock material or move sediment. In the placer mining of gold or tin, the resulting water-sediment slurry is directed through sluice boxes to remove the gold.-Precursor - ground...
operations. By 1876, the population swelled to 2000. But in 1884, when hydraulic mining ended because of a lawsuit
Lawsuit
A lawsuit or "suit in law" is a civil action brought in a court of law in which a plaintiff, a party who claims to have incurred loss as a result of a defendant's actions, demands a legal or equitable remedy. The defendant is required to respond to the plaintiff's complaint...
by Sacramento
Sacramento
Sacramento is the capital of the state of California, in the United States of America.Sacramento may also refer to:- United States :*Sacramento County, California*Sacramento, Kentucky*Sacramento – San Joaquin River Delta...
area farmers, North Bloomfield became an uninhabited San Juan Ridge
San Juan Ridge
The San Juan Ridge is a geographic featureextending approximately east-northeast between the South and Middle Yuba Rivers in the foothills of the northern Sierra Nevada Mountains...
ghost town
Ghost town
A ghost town is an abandoned town or city. A town often becomes a ghost town because the economic activity that supported it has failed, or due to natural or human-caused disasters such as floods, government actions, uncontrolled lawlessness, war, or nuclear disasters...
.
In the present day, the town of North Bloomfield is contained within the Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park
Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park
Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park belongs to the California State Historic Park system, a part of the California Department of Parks and Recreation. Malakoff Diggins is the site of California's largest hydraulic mines...
. Some of the town’s original buildings remain and a few have been reconstructed:
- Skidmore House
- E Clampus VitusE Clampus VitusThe Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus is a fraternal organization dedicated to the study and preservation of Western heritage, especially the history of the Mother Lode and gold mining regions of the area...
Building - McKillicam & Mobley General Store
- St. ColumncilleColumbaSaint Columba —also known as Colum Cille , Colm Cille , Calum Cille and Kolban or Kolbjørn —was a Gaelic Irish missionary monk who propagated Christianity among the Picts during the Early Medieval Period...
’s Catholic Church
The post office was open from 1857 to 1942, moving once in 1875.