Hornitos

Hornitos started in 1850 by outcast Mexicans from nearby Quartzburg and was given the name Hornitos, meaning “little ovens,” from the dome like rock and mud bake-ovens being used here by some Germans. Whites soon gained predominance, the population grew to many thousands, and it became one of the richest and toughest early mining camps. Juaquin Murietta, a noted bandit chief, had a hide-out here and many friends. Wells Fargo and Co. established an office as early as 1852 to handle the millions produced by nearby mines. D. Ghirardelli of chocolate fame started his fortune by merchandising here. For over fifty years, the annual religious customs of Old Mexico were enacted here.

Hornitos, California · United States