Coloma is a small unincorporated former town in El Dorado County, California, USA. It is approximately 9 miles (14 km) northwest of Placerville, California. Coloma is most noted for being the site where James W. Marshall first discovered gold in California, at Sutter's Mill on January 24, 1848[1], leading to the California Gold Rush. Today it is known as a ghost town and the centerpiece of the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. Coloma was designated a National Historic Landmark District on July 4, 1961[4][2]
Ghost Town
While some people still live in this unincorporated area, Coloma is considered something of a ghost town, as civic buildings such as the jail have been abandoned and left to decay, and other buildings from its boom era (1847-1852) have been converted into museums and other historical displays. The foundation of Sutters Mill remains, along with a nearby reconstruction.[5]
Currently the town counts approximately 300 inhabitants.
The name comes from the original natives' (Nisenan Indians) name for the valley Coloma is in: Cullumah, meaning "beautiful." Coloma is on the South Fork of the American River that runs through the valley.
Politics
In the state legislature Coloma is located in the 1st Senate District, represented by Republican Dave Cox, and in the 4th Assembly District, represented by Republican Ted Gaines. Federally, Coloma is located in California's 4th congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of R +11[6] and is represented by Republican John Doolittle.
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