Columbia State Historic Park

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Columbia, CA
Columbia State Historic Park

Columbia State Historic Park is a Gold Rush era town preserved for visitors to step back in time.
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06/06/2026

Join State Park Interpreter Logan Currin at Columbia State Historic Park’s miner’s cabin to open up the Gold Miners’ Toolbox and learn more about the tools used by miners during the California Gold Rush! Keep an eye out for Part 2, coming next week!

Today, we’ll be learning about the rocker box, also known as a miner’s cradle. This tool was used by individual miners and teams of miners involved in placer mining during the time of the California Gold Rush. Placer mining involves the mining of modern or ancient streambeds, separating gold deposited by the force of water from the sediment it is surrounded by. Come along with Logan to learn about the different components of a rocker box, how they work, and how the whole device is operated!

To learn more about the California Gold Rush and get a closer look at tools used by gold miners, come and visit Columbia State Historic Park. Visiting the park is completely FREE and we are open every day of the year, except for Christmas. We hope to see you soon!

06/02/2026

Join us for a free family friendly hike at the Karen Bakerville-Smith Memorial Trail. Senior Park Aide Steve Hampton will lead you on a one-hour guided hike and explore what there is to eat along the way. You will have the chance to learn more about the natural environment surrounding the historic mining town of Columbia and the edible and inedible flora that can be found all around us. Join us to find out more about where you live!

Meet us in the Schoolhouse Parking lot at 9:30am. We recommend you wear sturdy footwear as this is a moderate hike. Please bring water as it will likely be warm.

Register for this hike online at CAStateParksWeek.org or scan the QR code included in this post. For more information, please email [email protected].

05/31/2026

We offer free town tours starting everyday June 1 to September 30 at 11 am.

Visitors enjoy a guided trek through town to learn more about Columbia during the gold-rush era. Please check with museum upon arrival. Meet at the museum around the tour sign.

05/28/2026

The ABC’s of Columbia SHP! L is for Livery Stable

A livery stable is “where horses and vehicles are kept for hire and where stabling is provided.” The Johnson’s Livery Stable is one of the only buildings on Main Street that is neither an original nor the reproduction of an original. The building was constructed for The Young Riders (TV series) set in 1988. The episode in which it is used is season one, episode one. When filming was finished the structure was kept and what sits inside now are wagons of the Gold Rush era.

Many livery stables operated in Columbia over time, including the Ham & Hildreth Livery Stable, the Livery and Sale Stable, the Broadway Livery Stable, the Columbia Livery Stable, the Trask Livery Stable. Many of the local stage lines would operate from these livery stables.

Sources:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/livery%20stable
http://www.columbiagazette.com/stagelines.html

05/23/2026

Friends of Columbia State Historic Park invites the public to join a heartfelt Memorial Day Remembrance on Monday, May 25, 2026, honoring the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.

The day of remembrance begins at 11:00 AM at the Columbia Cemetery, where The Grenadine Belles and the Columbia Militia Color Guard will lead a moving tribute to our fallen veterans in a setting rich with local history. This event is free and open to the public.

05/20/2026

Interested in history? Love sharing with others? Become a Docent for Columbia SHP.

Join us for Docent Training this summer! If are interested in becoming a volunteer or docent, please email [email protected] for more information.

05/19/2026

📣Now Hiring!

A Museum Custodian at Columbia State Historic Park

• Join California State Parks and work at historic Gold Rush town.
• Clean exhibits and assist the cultural resources program with ongoing projects.
• Work in a variety of environmental conditions.
• Apply knowledge of preservation and museum custodial techniques.

Learn more about the opening: https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=517531 or email [email protected]

Requirements:
• Possession of a valid Class C driver’s license
• Background investigation utilizing fingerprinting prior to appointment.
• Able to lift at least 35 pounds while wearing a uniform and appropriate protective equipment.

Who may apply:
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility.

For more information on obtaining list eligibility: https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=3663

Application deadline: 5/29/2026

05/17/2026

Tomorrow is the last day of Columbia Diggins 1852. Diggins happens only once a year Don’t miss your opportunity to wander through the vibrant tent town. Once you are done enjoying the encampment, walk the streets of historic Columbia, visit the museum, find the schoolhouse, grab a bite to eat, or stop in a store for a treat.

May 14 -17, 2026

For more information, visit www.parks.ca.gov/columbiadiggins1852

05/15/2026

This morning Columbia Diggins was beautiful as volunteers were getting ready for day two of the encampment.

During the early days of the California Gold Rush, miners streamed into the Mother Lode and tent and shanty towns sprung up overnight. Saloons, boarding houses, restaurants, laundries, express offices, and tent stores offered miners many goods, services and entertainment. Columbia Diggins represents one of those tent towns.

Diggins happens only once a year. Over 150 volunteers, partners, and staff dedicate time and resources to bring the encampment to life. Don’t miss your opportunity to wander through a vibrant tent town.

Once you are done at the encampment, walk the streets of historic Columbia, visit the museum, find the school house, grab a bite to eat or stop in a store for a treat.

When: May 14-17, 2026 (10 a.m. -4 p.m.)
Cost: Adults $10, Under 18 Free
Location: Diggins Tent Town (located near main parking lot)
For more information, visit www.parks.ca.gov/columbiadiggins1852

05/14/2026

Come and step back in time and discover what life was like in a gold diggings encampment during the early Gold Rush.

When: May 14-17, 2026 (10 a.m. -4 p.m.)
Cost: Adults $10, Under 18 Free
Location: Diggins Tent Town (located near main parking lot)

For more information, visit www.parks.ca.gov/columbiadiggins1852

Video: Various activities and encampment scenes, inlcuding children doing laundry, woman ringing a bell, boy using a gold rocker with background sounds an period music from the event.

Address

11259 Jackson Street
Columbia, CA
95310

Telephone

+12095889128

Website

http://www.parks.ca.gov/columbia

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