The next man hanged was an outlaw by the name of Mickey Free, who was involved in a cutthroat gang that specialized in raiding and robbing Chinese camps and murdering lonely miners.

But, like other gold rich boom camps, Coloma's hectic days were numbered. As the thousands of miners spread out in the area, richer gold veins were soon found at places such as nearby Placerville, Georgetown, Diamond Springs and as many as 30 other gold camps.

As Coloma's population began to fall, nearby Placerville, some ten miles away, had become the new "hub” of the Mother Lode and in 1854, the county seat was moved there, where it remains to this day.

By 1870, Coloma had but just 200 residents and over the years continued to dwindle.

Today, though considered a "ghost town,” the Coloma area is again called home to about 200 people. Approximately 70% of the old town site is part of California's Marshall Gold Discovery State Park that features a number of buildings that have survived from the gold rush, as well as many other reminders of the gold rush period.  The park also features a museum, a walking tour of the old town site, costumed volunteers,  a replica of the original Sutter’s Mill, and the old cemetery.

Coloma is approximately ten miles northwest of Placerville, on Highway 49.

Contact Information:

Marshall Gold Discovery State Park

310 Back Street
Coloma, California 95613

530-622-3470

© Kathy Weiser/Legends of America, updated August, 2009.