Lancha Plana, California

Lancha Plana (Spanish for "Flat Boat") was a small settlement in Amador County, California, formed as a result of a flatboat ferry crossing across the Mokelumne River.

Lancha Plana
Former settlement
Lancha Plana is located in California
Lancha Plana
Lancha Plana
Location in California
Coordinates: 38°13′29″N 120°54′07″W / 38.22472°N 120.90194°W / 38.22472; -120.90194
CountryUnited States
StateCalifornia
CountyAmador County
Elevation220 ft (67 m)
GNIS feature ID253642[1]
Reference no.30

History

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It was founded by Mexican miners in 1848.[2] The remnants of the town were submerged as a result of the damming of the river to form the Camanche Reservoir. Lancha Plana Bridge crosses the lake now about where the town once stood. It was briefly known as "Sonora Bar", as most miners were from Sonora.[3]

Lancha Plana is registered as a California Historical Landmark.[4]

A post office operated at Lancha Plana from 1859 to 1919, with a closure from 1912 to 1913.[3]

Geography

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It lay on the north bank of the Mokelumne River, 9 miles (14 km) south-southeast of Ione,[3] at an elevation of 220 feet (67 m).

References

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  1. ^ a b "Lancha Plana (historical)". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2012-03-30.
  2. ^ Miller, Donald C. (1978). Ghost Towns of California. Boulder, Colorado: Pruett Publishing Company. p. 106. ISBN 0871085178.
  3. ^ a b c Durham, David L. (1998). California's Geographic Names: A Gazetteer of Historic and Modern Names of the State. Clovis, Calif.: Word Dancer Press. p. 511. ISBN 1-884995-14-4.
  4. ^ "Lancha Plana". Office of Historic Preservation, California State Parks. Retrieved 2012-03-30.