Volcano - California Ghost Town

VOLCANO

NAME: Volcano
COUNTY: Amador
ROADS: 2WD
GRID #(see map): 3
CLIMATE: Cool winter, warm summer
BEST TIME TO VISIT: Anytime.

COMMENTS: Just south of Placerville, Semi-ghost.
REMAINS: Many original buildings.

Named for nearby rocks that looked like volcanic activity, the town had a reputation for violence but eventually took on the mantel respectability. As the town grew in population, so did the number of buildings until the word "elegant" was used to describe those built from native blue limestone. These included the Wells Fargo building, the two-storied I.O.O.F. building, the Adams Express building and the St. George Hotel. The hotel is still in good condition. Traveling groups of actors, dancers and the like from San Francisco that came to towns where the money was freely spent provided theatrical entertainment. Volcano was one of those. One can drive to the town from Butte City on highway 49. Submitted by Henry Chenoweth. Well worth the 12-mile drive eastward from Jackson or Sutter Creek is the town of Volcano. Among its historic buildings is the three-story St. George Hotel. Built in 1862, it is still in operation. Many of the original buildings still stand and others in ruins have been preserved. Volcano Courtesy Dolores Steele Church Courtesy Dolores Steele Ruins of Wells Fargo Courtesy Dolores Steele Cemetery Courtesy Dolores Steele Cemetery Courtesy Dolores Steele Volcano From the Johnnie Walker Collection Courtesy Charlie Osborn Volcano From the Johnnie Walker Collection Courtesy Charlie Osborn Volcano From the Johnnie Walker Collection Courtesy Charlie Osborn	St. George Hotel - 1862 Courtesy Dolores Steele Was Sing Kee Store Courtesy Dolores Steele I.O.O.F. and Masonic Hall - 1854 Courtesy Dolores Steele Volcano Courtesy Dolores Steele School Courtesy Dolores Steele Old Jail - whose first prisoners were its builders Courtesy Dolores Steele Volcano Courtesy Bob Stelow Volcano Courtesy Bob Stelow Volcano Courtesy Bob Stelow Volcano From the Johnnie Walker Collection Courtesy Charlie Osborn Volcano From the Johnnie Walker Collection Courtesy Charlie Osborn

Named for nearby rocks that looked like volcanic activity, the town had a reputation for violence but eventually took on the mantel respectability. As the town grew in population, so did the number of buildings until the word "elegant" was used to describe those built from native blue limestone. These included the Wells Fargo building, the two-storied I.O.O.F. building, the Adams Express building and the St. George Hotel. The hotel is still in good condition. Traveling groups of actors, dancers and the like from San Francisco that came to towns where the money was freely spent provided theatrical entertainment. Volcano was one of those. One can drive to the town from Butte City on highway 49. Submitted by Henry Chenoweth.

Well worth the 12-mile drive eastward from Jackson or Sutter Creek is the town of Volcano. Among its historic buildings is the three-story St. George Hotel. Built in 1862, it is still in operation. Many of the original buildings still stand and others in ruins have been preserved.