Mormon Island
Mormon Island was once a thriving gold mining camp during the height of the gold rush. As the name implies, the residents were primarily Mormons. At the height of its popularity, the town had 2500 residents, 4 hotels, 7 saloons, and 1 school. The town itself is credited with the inception of the gold rush – a Mormon entrepreneur learned of this profitable camp and went to San Francisco to spread the word. He eventually made a fortune selling mining supplies in Sacramento, and left the hard labor to the prospectors.
The town itself dwindled after the gold was flushed out, and by the 1950s, there were no more than a few residents left. What was left of the town was eventually flooded in 1955 with the creation of Folsom Lake.
The only remnants of this town are sometimes visible during extreme drought years, as foundations of houses lie underwater.There is a relocation cemetery located south of the lake, where residents were moved before the lake was filled. A few unknown residents of Prairie City were also transported there when they were discovered during Intel’s onramp construction.
Mormon Island was also known at the time as Mormon Diggins, Mormon Diggings, and Lower Mines as well.
This undated photo shows the town that was once Mormon Island.
Miners’ Hotel and Bakery, 1850s.
 Mormon Island, Date unknown. Photo c/o Folsom History Museum |
 Mette Farm, 1910 Photo c/o Folsom History Museum |
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This map shows the approximate location of the city. |
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The Mormon Island relocation cemetery is located south of the lake. |
Foundations, found in 2007. |
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