Coloma, CA. is a picturesque Gold Rush era town about a 30 min. drive from where I live. It’s now a state park and is a great place to wander around. Old buildings have been preserved along with gold mining equipment and a reconstruction of the sawmill near where gold was discovered in 1848. All this sits alongside a beautiful stretch of the American River.
The Post Office has that perfect ‘bygone era’ look-small, but looking ready for business in it’s bright white paint job.
The Chinese store sits next to the road (Hwy 49), facing an open space and shaded by nearby trees.
Although it’s a park, it’s also a living town with a couple streets of residences, complete with white picket fences.
Elsewhere in town, a section of old, neglected fence seems as natural as the oaks it runs beneath.
The blacksmith shop is staffed with volunteers who actually make replacement items used in the park. Here, a collection of tools hangs quietly on one wall.
The shop must look quite a bit like it did over 100 years ago.
Although this was shot in August, the bunting must be left over from 4th of July celebrations.
Coloma’s a great place to spend a few hours photographing. It’s got historic buildings, a visitor’s center, shops, and a great pioneer feel with lots of photo opportunities. Set along side the river, it’s a great picnic spot as well.
