Jackson

Jackson is a city in Amador County, California, founded during the Gold Rush and situated at about 371 meters (1,200 feet) above sea level. Main Street preserves original 19th-century buildings that reflect the mining era's architecture.

The town was established in 1848 at the start of the Gold Rush and became the county seat in 1854. Its growth was directly tied to mining, which shaped both the region's economy and its communities.

During the Gold Rush, Jackson became a gathering place for miners from around the world who met in the saloons and shops along Main Street. The street still reflects this cosmopolitan past and shows how diverse communities lived and worked together here.

Jackson is easily reached via State Route 49 and State Route 88, which connect to Sacramento and the Sierra Nevada. The town sits centrally among several historic mines and hiking trails throughout the mining regions.

Jackson experienced a devastating mining disaster at the Argonaut Mine in 1922 when 47 workers perished. This tragedy remains one of the deadliest mining accidents in North American history, yet visitors often overlook it.

Location: Amador County

Inception: 1848

Elevation above the sea: 371 m

Website: http://ci.jackson.ca.us

GPS coordinates: 38.34889,-120.77417

Latest update: December 17, 2025 10:09