Elizabethtown, California was a California Gold Rush town established in 1852 in Plumas County, California. It was named after Elizabeth Stark, who was known to local miners.

The value of gold taken from the Elizabethtown area is believed to be in the millions of dollars, beginning with other gold mining camps in and around American Valley (where Quincy, CA is now located).

In 1852, a wagon train that included 10-15 families came over Beckwourth Pass (named for James Beckwourth, one of the first pioneers in the area). They brought a large supply of horses, oxen, cows, and supplies, and were among the first European settlers in American Valley. Upon their arrival, they met a population of hundreds of Maidu Indians, who were peaceful and friendly.

In 1854, a Masonic Lodge was built in Elizabethtown, and a post office was established with Lewis Stark as Postmaster. W.A. Blakesley was the Deputy and used his house as the office. In January, 1855, the post office was moved to Quincy.

The rich mining claims of 1853 and 1854 were: The Wahoo, by Joseph Kelley & Co.; Fowler, by Fowler & Co.; Varner, by Varner & Co.; Plumas, by L.F. Cate & Co.; O'Neill, by Captain

O'Neill; Gloyd, by D.J. Gloyd; and Betsy Guilch, by Stark & Co.

The population of Elizabethtown rose to 2000-2500 people between 1853 and 1856. Over 30 county licenses were issued for businesses in the area during the first year that business licenses were available. The main street extended across the entire town. There were many stores, two-story buildings, saloons, gambling houses, shops, gilded palaces, lodging houses, and eating houses. They also had a lodge for the Sons of Temperance (see Temperance movement) which had over 200 members.

In 1857 and 1858, there was some demoralization within the town due to competition from the Comstock mines in Virginia City, Nevada (see Comstock Lode). Many residents moved to Indian and Honey Lake valleys. Many buildings were moved to Quincy and rebuilt there. Slowly, Elizabethtown dissolved into history.

There is a stone and metal monument to the town, placed by the Native Sons and Daughters of Quincy and dated September 9, 1927.

References

  • Plumas County Museum