Alpha, California

Alpha
Former settlement
Alpha

Location in California

Coordinates: 39°19′50″N 120°46′53″W / 39.33056°N 120.78139°WCoordinates: 39°19′50″N 120°46′53″W / 39.33056°N 120.78139°W
Country  United States
State  California
County Nevada County
Elevation[1] 4,120 ft (1,260 m)
Time zone Pacific (PST) (UTC-8)
  Summer (DST) PDT (UTC-7)

Alpha is a former settlement in Nevada County, California. Alpha is located 2 miles (3.2 km) south-southeast of Washington.[2] It is situated at an elevation of 4,120 ft (1,260 m) above sea level.[3] Alpha had a post office during the period of 1855–1862.[4]

The Alpha Hydraulic Diggings were 1 mile (1.6 km) south of the town.

Gold

Gold was discovered at the place 1850; settlers arrived in 1852.[2] In gold rush days, the town's nickname was "Hell Out for High Noon City".[2]

Notable residents

References

  1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Alpha, California
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Durham, David L. (1998). California's Geographic Names: A Gazetteer of Historic and Modern Names of the State. Clovis, Calif.: Word Dancer Press. p. 442. ISBN 1-884995-14-4.
  3. "Alpha (historical)". calsign.com. Retrieved 2009-05-28.
  4. Tharp, Don. "Nevada County, California Post Offices and Communities Past and Present". Genealogy Trails. genealogytrails.com. Retrieved 2009-06-01.
  5. "NO. 628 ALPHA HYDRAULIC DIGGINGS". beachcalifornia.com. Retrieved 2009-05-28.