Jackson: Historic Main Street and Mining History

Jackson combines a well-preserved historic Main Street with buildings from different chapters of the town’s history and a mining heritage.

Historic Downtown and Architecture

Jackson’s downtown is designated a national historic district. Main Street is well preserved and 150 years old. A walking tour covers 45 sites in the downtown area. Tour materials may change; check the materials you plan to use before your visit.

The Amador County Museum sits on Corral Hill, also known as Court House Hill, and overlooks Jackson’s historic downtown. It is housed in a 15-room Greek Revival-style residence built in 1859 as the home of Armstead C. Brown. Its collections include an exhibit on the history of gold, as well as materials on Native American and Chinese American history.

The Saint Sava Church has its own construction history: miners from Herzegovina, Montenegro, and the Bay of Kotor built it in one year. The brick building was dedicated on December 4, 1894. Gothic Revival architecture is represented by the William J. Paugh House; in 2004, the house was restored to its original 1860s appearance.

Another exact date is associated with Pioneer Hall in Jackson. The Order of Native Daughters of the Golden West was founded there on September 11, 1886. The remains of Father Sebastian were reinterred in the church in Jackson in 2007. These building and local histories add religious, architectural, and social dimensions to the picture of Jackson’s historic downtown.

Mining History and Trails

Two other connections to mining history are in the vicinity of Jackson. The Kennedy Mine has a 5,912-foot-deep vertical shaft, described as the deepest in the United States. Jackson Gate was also nearby, where the first mining ditch in Amador County was dug. Among those buried at Jackson Pioneer Cemetery are U.S. senators, war heroes, victims of mining accidents, statesmen, doctors, and ranchers.

The Kennedy Mine Loop Trail is a 2.3-mile, pedestrian-only trail with an unpaved surface. Its loop circles the central area of mining activity. As details about visitor access may change, check them before your tour.

Main Street Theatre Works presents performing arts at the Kennedy Mine Amphitheatre in Jackson. Performance schedules are seasonal. If you plan to attend a show, check the dates before your trip.

Road Access and Regional Connections

Jackson is at the intersection of Scenic Highways 49 and 88. Its location on Highway 88 is also connected to camping, fishing, and winter sports in the High Sierra. These recreational activities are regional; conditions and seasonal availability vary. Planning can therefore encompass several different interests: the historic downtown and its buildings, mining history, and road access and regional recreation.

Discover more destinations: Pioneer, Amador City, Fiddletown, Ione, Sutter Creek, Plymouth, Drytown.

Return to the regional travel overview: Amador County.