Jamestown

Once you have left Modesto, going east through Riverbank and Oakdale there are fields and little else off of highway 108 until you enter Jamestown. It is well past the Obyrnes Ferry Road to Copperopolis, the Yosemite Junction and highway 49 to Chinese Camp. Jamestown installed their only stop light in 2007. It helps visitors to pause and take in this unique town before proceeding on highway 108 to Sonora. Our Map of Jamestown

The eye catching Jamestown Harley-Davidson welcomes visitors. The 1890's look of the building carries over into their business with good old fashioned Western hospitality alive and well.

Jamestown is known for its architecture, including dry-laid stone buildings, one with iron shutters that protected it from fire in the 1850s. There are also Queen Anne style buildings from the latter 19th century, with wooden boardwalks and balconies on the second floor. Sadly many were lost to a fire in 1966. Several hotels claim to be haunted by ghosts including the Jamestown Hotel, Willow Hotel and the National Hotel.

What defines Jamestown as truly unique is Railtown State Historic Park. Threatened with closure because of funding it is home to one of Americas last intact, still-operating (since 1897) railroad roundhouse. For more about Railtown check it out in the destination guide.

Jamestown's elevation is 1,427 feet, and the population is 3,017. Children go to Jamestown elementary and Sonora High School. Hidden away on Rawhide road is the alternative K-8th grade Sierra Waldorf School. The school regularly hosts community events, for annual events look here, keep an eye on the calendar section for more information.

History of Jamestown

In June of 1848, Benjamin Wood and party camped beside the small creek. According to the Bureau of Mines, a 150-pound gold mass found there resulted in 75 pounds of gold. The encampment was called Wood's Diggings and later, Wood's Crossing and was one of the very first finds of gold in the MotherLode area. For more about gold finds in the area visit the rock hounding page in the recreation section.

George James a lawyer and chief accolade hired local miners to work his claims and paid them in scrip. When he realized that he hadn't found enough gold to make good on the scrip he quietly snuck out of town. The angry miners tried to rename the town American Camp but the U.S. Post Office already had several towns by that name. In 1853 the post office established under the name Jamestown.

Mining continued off and on through the years. On Christmas Eve in 1992, miners at the Jamestown Mine discovered several large pieces of gold. One of the larger ones is on display at Ironstone Vineyards weighs 45 pounds! That piece of gold is the largest piece of crystallized gold on display. Nearby New Melones Dam was completed in 1979 and offers plenty of recreation.

• Chicken Ranch Casino
• Community Events
• Rockhounding
• New Melones Lake
• Lake Don Pedro
• Jim Town
• Railtown
• Lake Tulloch

Jamestown Zip Code: 95327
US Post Office - Jamestown 18303 Main Street
209-984-5864
Fire 18249 4th Avenue 209-984-5623