Jackson, California

Jackson California
Jackson California

Jackson History

By Jan MacKell Collins

The mining town of Jackson in Amador County (not to be confused with Jacksonville, which now lies under Don Pedro Reservoir in Tuolumne County) was originally no more than a stop along an old trail leading south from Sacramento. A spring at what would become Jackson had long been used by Northern Sierra Natives who used the area for hunting and gathering seeds, acorns and grass.

Jackson California

1857 Illustration of Jackson, California

Early Spanish settlers called the camp Botellas, which translates to “bottles.” When the area was discovered by Anglo explorers, they too used the spring to water their cattle and horses before moving on.

Beginning in 1848, gold deposits in the area inspired a settlement around the spring. Within a year, Botellas was renamed Jackson after Alden Appola Moore Jackson, an attorney who happily assisted miners in staking their claims (Jacksonville was also named for him). Early Jackson served two important purposes: the camp provided supplies for area miners, and also continued serving as a rest stop for travelers.

Jackson California

Jackson, California ca. 1860s

The earliest business was a trading post under a large oak tree that would eventually serve as a “hanging tree” as crime inevitably reared its ugly head. The first lynching took place during 1851. Nine more hangings would take place in just four years.

Within two years, Jackson was the county seat of what was then Calaveras County with a population of some 1,500 people. The town became a center of commerce for the mines and smaller towns of the wider area, which allowed it to remain a viable community even as the nearby placer mines began to be worked out.

National Hotel Jackson California

Fourth of July celebration - Jackson, California 1921

In 1852, the nearby raucous community of Mokelumne Hill tried to steal the county seat from Jackson and attempted to form its own county as well. Both efforts failed. Jackson then incorporated and remained determined to remain as the county seat no matter what county might form. The city remains the Amador County seat today.

National Hotel Jackson California

National Hotel at Jackson, California

Jackson grew quickly during the 1850s. Churches, sturdy brick stores containing various businesses, a livery, and over 100 prominent homes soon dotted the city. When Amador County was formed in 1854 following a heated and rather corrupt election, Jackson remained as the county seat.

More buildings followed, including Moses Brumel’s brick building, where the Amador Lodge No. 65 F.& A.M met, and a Masonic Hall. Some of the buildings on the west side of Main Street burned in 1855 but were quickly rebuilt in brick. Notable landmarks during the late 1850’s included Wells Fargo & Co. and the Pioneer Jewish Synagogue and cemetery.

Kennedy Mine Jackson California

Miners in the Kennedy Mine - Jackson, California

Jackson owed much of its success to the Argonaut Mine, which was first discovered in the early 1850s. In 1856 another rich mine, the Kennedy, was located. Although placer mines were largely worked out, lode mining was becoming increasingly prevalent which propped up the local economy.

In 1862 Jackson suffered a serious setback when a fire started at a combination express agency and assay office on Main Street. Gone were the courthouse and many businesses along Main, Summit and Water Streets. Jackson remained resilient, however, as fine brick buildings replaced the flimsy wooden structures that burned. A new courthouse was completed in 1864.

Jackson California

Early view of Main Street - Jackson, California ca. 1900

Jackson remained a viable mining center for many more years, but it wasn’t until the 1890’s that the Argonaut, the Kennedy and another mine, the Zeile, ran into valuable ore at depth, which greatly stimulated the local mining industry. More people, including miners but also gamblers and bawdy women, flocked into town.

As of 1900 Jackson featured five boarding houses, four hotels, three churches, three newspapers, and several physicians and dentists for the population of over 3,000 people.

Tragedy struck Jackson on August 27, 1922 when a fire in the Argonaut mine killed 47 miners. It is difficult to imagine the horror the miners must have felt, most of them immigrants from Europe, who were trapped 4,650 feet below ground when the fire broke out at the 3,000 foot level. It was the worst gold mine disaster in American history.

Kennedy Mine Jackson California

Argonaut Mine - Jackson, California ca. 1920

With the onset of World War II, gold mines across the country were shut down by government order, and Jackson's status as a gold mining center was over. Within a decade, gambling was outlawed, as well as the red-light ladies who had entertained miners and other men for decades. Jackson eventually evolved into the quaint little town it is today, with much history to share in dozens of historic buildings.

Two events that occurred during the 1960’s illustrate why Jackson remains on the map as a premier historic town to visit. Local legend states that actor John Wayne visited the town in February of 1963. After drinking with a couple of buddies at the Wells Fargo Club, the threesome proceeded to the historic National Hotel where they openly engaged in an illegal game of stud poker. Notable is that Wayne lost a sizeable chunk of money.

Jackson California

Jackson, California

The other event occurred on Valentine’s Day in 1968, when a heart-shaped plaque in the vicinity of Jackson’s old red-light district was installed in the sidewalk. The gesture was the city’s way of recognizing the gold rush’s bawdy women who kept so many lonely miners and other men entertained during Jackson’s wilder and woolier days. The heart was removed under protest, but it can still be seen at the Amador County Museum in Jackson.

Gold Mining Legacy

Jackson's three primary gold mines – Eureka, Kennedy, and Argonaut – cumulatively extracted over 4.5 million ounces of gold, or around $90 million worth based on the value of gold back then which was around $20 per ounce. This production constitutes over 50% of the total gold retrieved from all of Amador County.

Argonaut Mine Jackson California

Argonaut Mine - Jackson, California ca. 1920

This district, known as the Jackson-Plymouth, was the most productive district of the Mother Lode belt. Both the Argonaut and Kennedy mines had shaft depths surpassing 5,900 feet below the ground, making them some of the deepest mines in the United States.

It All Started With The Gold Rush

The California Gold Rush

The great California Gold Rush kicked off the entire saga of western mining. Read about it at The California Gold Rush.

California Gold

Where to Find Gold in California

"Where to Find Gold in California" looks at the density of modern placer mining claims along with historical gold mining locations and mining district descriptions to determine areas of high gold discovery potential in California. Read more: Where to Find Gold in California.


Western Mining History is the work of Aaron Walton. About Western Mining History

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