11255 Jackson St Columbia, CA 95310
Disclaimer: The information that we share in this post is from our visit to the establishment over time the prices, hours or information could have changed since the time of our visit. It is highly suggested that your research the locations and check for current up to date information before your visit. Also, all opinions that are represented in this post are expressly our opinion and no one else. We do not receive compensation for our reviews of the places we visit.
Columbia is one of the few preserved functioning mining town in the country. Visitors can take a step back in time to experience life in Gold Rush era of the 1850’s and 60’s in California. It is free to visit the park and it is open year-round.
Columbia was once known as the “Gem of the Southern Mines.” Between the 1850s and 1870s over one billion dollars in gold (at today’s value) was mined in the area. For a time, Columbia was the second largest city in California. Unlike many other settlements that disappeared due to fire, vandalism and time, Columbia survived. It was never completely deserted. In 1945 it became a state park through state Legislature.
On March 27, 1850, a group of prospectors found gold here. Passing through this area, Dr. Thaddeus Hildreth, his brother George, John Walker and others were caught in a rainstorm. While drying out their gear, Walker decided to try his luck in the nearby gulch. Within six weeks his findings attracted thousands of miners.
Their crowded camp of log cabins and canvas tents, known as Hildreth’s Diggings, was formally renamed “Columbia” on April 29, 1850. By 1852, there were more than 150 stores, shops, saloons and other businesses in Columbia. The town also had three churches, a meeting hall, a Masonic Lodge and a branch of the Sons of Temperance. By 1853, Columbia was one of the largest cities in California. The estimated population was 25,000 to 30,000. Between 1850 and the early 1900s, as much as $150 million in gold was mined here. Gold from Columbia helped to finance the United States government and the Union Army during the Civil War. As mining dwindled in the late 1860s, Columbia began to decline. Miners tore down the vacated buildings and mined vacant lots in search of gold in the crevices of the limestone bedrock on which the town was built.
You can discover all kinds of provisions to fill your bellies with warm cups of coffee, fine dining, family dining or picnic provisions. Take a stab at hand dipped candle making to panning for gold. Sit a spell in the saloon and sip on an old fashion Sarsaparilla. When the weather and season permit you can even catch a stagecoach ride. There are two hotels if you would like to stay and have more time to explorer or even catch a performance at the historic theater. Dress up in fashion for the era and take a old fashion photo to mark your visit. There is also a beautiful 1-mile hike where you may discover some deer and see beautiful wildflowers.
There is a number of festivities offered through out the year; a few of them are gold rush days, ghost tours and Columbia Diggins 1852. Check out Columbia’s website for more events and information on them.
Gold Rush Days occur the second Saturday of each month from 1 to 4pm. Columbia’s Gold Rush Days is a chance to explore the historic town of Columbia and see it come alive with living history. Throughout town you will discover park docents interpreting what it looked, felt, and sounded like during the California Gold Rush. Historic buildings not normally open to the public will be available for visiting as well as ongoing living history demonstrations.
Have you heard that there are ghosts in Columbia? Join a ghost tour to find out where they lurk and the stories behind those who lived in Columbia during the Gold Rush. Available March 20, June 26, Jul 24, Aug 21 2022 from 2:00pm to 3:00pm costing $10 a person.
Columbia Diggins 1852 – Step back in time to the year 1852 and discover what life was like in a gold diggings encampment during the early Gold Rush period. Over 150 volunteers help to recreate this time in history by living the life of a miner, merchant, actor/actress, and more. Explore the tent town and discover a way of life not seen in California for over 150 years. Available in May this three-day event is from 10:00am to 4:00pm and costs $10 per adult and $2 for children 12 years and under. It is located in at the diggers tent town near the main parking lot.
Columbia City Hotel
The Columbia City Hotel and its sister, the Fallon Hotel, are authentically restored 19th-century country inns. All rooms are elegantly appointed with Victorian antiques, custom crafted wall coverings, and beautiful lithographs. While both hotels stay as faithful to 19th century decor as possible, modern conveniences such as indoor plumbing, heating. and air conditioning have been added. Each room has a half bath and a shower basket is provided for the trip down the hall to the shared shower rooms. There are also 3 cottages available for rent.
Columbia Museum
Open year-round: Museum Hours: Daily, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tours are offered June 15 – Labor Day: Daily 11 AM and Year-round: Saturday, Sunday 11 AM Led by staff and docents. Meet at the museum. Approximately 1 hour. Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
For you dining enjoyment there are a number of establishments to choose from and a bunch of great little shops to linger around in. You will also find some fun activities to take part in during your visit. There is plenty to see and do to fill your entire day if not two.
St. Charles Saloon
The employees are all super friendly and they have a diverse draft and bottle selection. They have old fashion sarsaparilla as well. The location offers indoor and outdoor seating. We enjoyed the BBQ Chicken Pizza loaded with BBQ chicken, red onions, tomatoes, and bacon. We also had The Chuck Pizza loaded with garlic ranch sauce, Canadian bacon, pepperoni, salami, mushroom, onions, green bell pepper and bacon. The pizzas are amazing, crispy crust, perfect thickness and number of toppings.
Jack Douglass Saloon
Fun saloon with a great atmosphere. We had old fashion Sarsaparilla and Hot Pastrami Sandwiches on Sourdough with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, creamy horseradish or mayo & mustard. All sandwiches are served with a side of chips and a pickle.
Nelson’s Columbia Candy Kitchen
For five generations, the Nelson family has delighted visitors with the finest handmade candies & confections in the Sierra Foothills. Pure and fresh ingredients, cooked in bright copper kettles and cooled on marble tables that are over 100 years old. During the holidays you can even see candy canes being made.
Quartz Mountain Stage Line
Riding inside this over 100 years old stagecoach gives you a small taste of what travel was like late in the 19th Century. About halfway through the ride the driver stopped and explained that Columbia was “dry diggings” meaning that water needed to be imported. Miners paid $6-$9 a day for water. With the price of gold being as low as $12 an ounce, miners needed half to three quarters of an ounce of gold just to pay for water. It is cheaper to ride inside, but if you want the best view I suggest upgrading and riding shotgun. Now it is not the most comfortable ride around, and it can be a little difficult getting in and out, up or down from the coach.
Matelot Gulch Mining Supply Store
There is 3 options you can choose from either doing it on your own or receiving lessons ranging from $5.50 to $16.50 per person. The options with lessons you are guaranteed to get some gold.
Parrott’s Blacksmith
The blacksmith shop is one of our favorite places to stop by and watch them work. Unique piece of art created from wrought metal/iron best ideal for souvenir or home decor you could pick up.
We highly suggest taking a trip and spending a day exploring around. This just a brief glimpse of our times in Columbia. There is so many other great shops to step into. Taking the old-fashioned photographs is a fun experience and be sure to travel up the hill and check out the schoolhouse and cemetery. We plan to take a trip up when Gold Rush Days is happening and will do another review when we do.