COLUMBIA STATE HISTORIC PARK

In 1853, Columbia was one of the most important cities in California. It was partly the taxation of foreign miners at US$20 per day that drove the predominantly Mexican population out of the city. The buildings then deteriorated and were no longer considered safe until 1945, when the city became a state park. The buildings were then restored brick by brick in order to preserve the authenticity of the city down to the smallest detail.

Here you can step back in time: saloons, blacksmith shops, horse-drawn carriages as the only means of transportation, hotels of the time, all the buildings are original and the merchants play along. Numerous themed and costumed events take place throughout the year reflecting over 150 years of history, such as Gold Rush Days (every second Saturday of the month from 1 to 4 pm) or the Columbia Diggin's Tent Town 1852 (every year in May): a great way to discover the gold rush era! Must-do's include staying overnight at a historic hotel in town, taking a horse-drawn carriage ride, going to Ebler's Leather and Saddlery Emporium to play cowboy and learning about 19th century blacksmithing at Parrott's Blacksmith Shop. A must-see state park in the Gold Country, it's best to arrive when the stores open to get the full Western feel of the town.