“From Gold Rush Town to Ghost Town: The Tragic Story of Havilah, California”

The historic mining town of Havilah, nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, has been devastated by the fast-moving Borel fire, which has scorched nearly 60,000 acres as of Friday. Once a bustling hub of gold mining activity in the late 19th century, Havilah had dwindled to a population of only about 150 residents, with most of its historic buildings reduced to foundations.

The fire, which swept through the town on July 26, destroyed some of the last vestiges of Havilah in just 24 hours, including a replica courthouse that served as a small roadside museum for decades. Roy Fluhart, president of Havilah’s historical society, lamented the loss of the museum, which housed historic documents, photographs, antique mining tools, and other artifacts from the region’s past.

One resident, Bo Barnett, managed to escape the fire with his dogs and the clothes on his back, but expressed regret that he didn’t have time to collect his late wife’s ashes. Governor Gavin Newsom, who has a personal connection to the area, toured the wreckage of Havilah and reflected on the loss of the town’s history and memories.

Havilah’s origins can be traced back to Asbury Harpending, a Kentuckian who discovered gold in the area in 1864 and established a thriving mining camp. As gold became harder to find, people left the town, and its buildings fell into disrepair. In 1966, residents built a replica courthouse and later a replica schoolhouse to commemorate the community’s mining legacy and pioneer heritage.

Despite the devastation caused by the fire, residents like Sean Rains are determined to rebuild and preserve Havilah’s history. Rains, who had been panning for gold in his front yard, was recruited into the historical society and had promised to defend the schoolhouse in case of a fire. When the Borel fire approached, he sprang into action, saving the schoolhouse before his own home was consumed by the flames.

As the community grapples with the loss of homes, belongings, and memories, the spirit of resilience and determination shines through. Residents like Rains are committed to rebuilding and preserving the legacy of Havilah, ensuring that the town’s rich history will not be forgotten.