Columbia SHP

State Historic Park

Location - Directions
Columbia State Historic Park is three miles north of Sonora, off Highway 49.
Latitude/Longitude: 38.0364 / -120.4003

The town's old Gold Rush-era business district has been preserved with shops, restaurants and two hotels. Visitors have the chance to time-travel to the 1850s, imagining life when gold miners rubbed shoulders with businessmen and the other residents in Columbia. Visitors can experience a bygone era watching proprietors in period clothing conduct business in the style of yesterday. There are opportunities to ride a 100 year-old stagecoach, pan for gold, and explore the real working businesses of Columbia.

Seasons/Climate
Climate
At an elevation of 2,100 feet in the Sierra Nevada, summer days can be hot and evenings can cool down quickly. Winters are rainy, with snow at times.

Weather
Average Annual Rainfall: 40 inches
Average Daily High Temperatures:
Winter: 59 F
Summer 89F

Regularly Scheduled Programs
Free Town Tours:
June 15th - Labor Day: Daily @ 11:00 AM
Year-round: Saturday & Sunday @ 11:00 AM
Led by staff and docents. Meet at the museum.
Approximately 1 hour.

For large groups, special tours may be arranged in advance by calling 209-588-9128.

Our Museum is open daily from 10-4, and closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Gold Rush Days: Second Saturday of each month from 1 to 4pm. Many special exhibits open and hands-on activities throughout the day. Park docents in period attire lead programs throughout the park. Call 209-588-9128 for details.

School Programs
Special School programs designed to meet state curriculum standards for 4th graders are offered from September-June. $40 per class. Students enjoy an hour-long history program at the museum led by park staff, including a bucket brigade. Then students walk to the original brick schoolhouse for an hour-long 1860s living history school program. Registration forms for the program are available by clicking the School Programs link on the left side of the page, or may be obtained by calling the park office at 209-588-9128. Programs are popular and fill quickly.

PORTS for Columbia
Parks Online Resource for Teachers and Students
Three downloadable lesson plans focused on 4th grade curriculum culminating with a ranger from Columbia interacting with the class via video conference.

Special Events & Programs

Columbia's Birthday Celebration-March 27, 2010, from 12-4pm
Join us for a live reenactment of the discovery of gold, a speech on the museum steps, birthday cake, and venues open throughout town staffed with costumed docents. Learn about Columbia's history by going on a tour of the town and come join in on the fun as we celebrate the birth of this exciting gold rush town!

Diggins Tent Town 1852-June 3-6, 2010
Step back in time and experience a Gold Rush tent town of 1852! Walk down the dirt streets of our gold diggins and see miners panning for gold, ladies running a hotel and laundry, purchase an ice cold sarsaparilla, take in a theatre show and more! Look for information coming soon!

For special event information please call Columbia State Historic Park at 209-588-9128.

Facilities and Activities
The park was once known as the "Gem of the Southern Mines." Between the 1850s and 1870s over one-half 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 the State Legislature made the site a State Historic Park in order to preserve a typical Gold Rush town, an example of one of the most colorful eras in American history.

Visitors can taste hand-dipped chocolates, a superior cup of coffee, or savor fine dining, family fare, or purchase picnic provisions. Stagecoach rides are available on the weekends, weather permitting.

There's also the chance to relax at one of two comfortable hotels, listen to music in historic saloons, or take in a performances at the Fallon Theatre.

Visitors can make a candle or purchase Columbia made soap, wooden toys, old fashion clothes, or dress-up for a photograph.

They can take a walk to the two-story brick school house and cemetery overlooking town, or hike the one-mile nature trail where mule deer and wild flowers can be seen.

Wi-Fi Service
Columbia State Historic Park now offers AT&T Wi-Fi Service!
This service enables park visitors with wireless enabled laptop computers or personal digital assistants (PDAs) to access the Internet. You can access this service if you are within a 150 foot range base of the Sector Office. For more information about this service please see January 19, 2005, News Release.

January 19, 2005, News Release (pdf)

Other parks with WiFi access...