Hornitos, California

Join Jo Ann Aiello of Aiello Studios on a tour of the historic gold rush town of Hornitos, California.

[@jeremymullins1294]

Very cool! I just read an article about Hornitos in an old copy of True West magazine.(Feb. 1964)

[@aiellostudios3333]

Thanks Jeremy! Wow True West Feb. 1964, that is an old copy of the magazine. I'd love to read that article about Hornitos but I don't have their all digital access subscription.

[@marklaughlin7079]

This is a great video. Thank you for sharing. I love history. I toured Hornitos on my e-bike earlier this year and I absolutely loved it. There is plenty of history there.

[@jaiello100]

Glad you enjoyed the video, thank you. Hornitos is a favorite gold rush town of ours.

[@octane2099]

I went out today that door still stands but the Adobe part is smaller probably last another 10 years then the door will probably stand by it’s self interesting area

[@aiellostudios3333]

Thanks for the update. We haven't been there since we took the photo in the video. But we have visited Hornitos many times since the 1970s. We've watched that partial adobe wall, with the door, melt away over the years. We are surprised it has lasted as long as it has. Hornitos is one of our favorite gold rush towns.

[@Reader-Copy]

The videography sepia tone footage is absolutely nauseating, and unworthy of your data, which is pretty accurate. Extra point for pronouncing "Murrieta" correctly.

[@robertmorse4701]

lived in the pacific saloon for twenty five years. [located in the plaza looks like a warehouse next to post office]

[@jaiello100]

Thanks for your message. I'm familiar with the historic building you lived in and knew it has been a private home for quite some time. I'm interested to know if you found any of the information about Hornitos in the video incorrect?

[@rubeniamalone3810]

I went many years ago, there was a cemetery called Santa Cruz, I would like to go with my son and show him Hornitos and Santa Cruz Cemetery very very old. But I forgot how to get to the cemetery.

[@aiellostudios3333]

Hello Rubenia, I searched on Google for Santa Cruz Cemetery. It appears that Santa Cruz Cemetery was near the now vanished town of Indian Gulch which is not far from Hornitos. I've seen comments that the Indian Gulch townsite is on private property. I don't know if the Santa Cruz Cemetery may also be on private property. I found a page with GPS coordinates for Santa Cruz Cemetery (don't know if they are accurate). I hope this helps: roadsidethoughts.com/ca/cemeteries/santa-cruz-cemetery-xx-mariposa-profile.htm

[@kathyvanalst4435]

@@aiellostudios3333 We visit the old Santa Cruz cemetery every so often. You can find it by following Indian Gulch Rd. Just a lot of cattle, goats and shepherd dogs there now. But a cool little place to see.

[@jaiello100]

@@kathyvanalst4435 Kathy, thank you for the info about the cemetery.

[@fixerupper3042]

Hornitos also had fights between Bulls vs Grizzley bears. People Would place bets. The bulls usually won but sometimes the bear would bite the bull in the nose and wouldn't let go, the bull would suffocate if that happened. Very violent little town back then......not for the faint hearted!!

[@aiellostudios3333]

Yes, Bull and Bear fights were common in the mining towns of California during the gold rush. At that time people butchered their own meat, so watching animals die was a routine occurrence. But now most of us would likely be horrified to see such a fight.

[@malaquiasalfaro81]

That’s crazy! I’m visiting in a few months? Is there an old newspaper or town marker I can read about this?

[@JAG312]

I don't know if it is still there. It has been many years, but there was a drinking fountain in the park. I remember that it had the best tasting water I have ever tasted.

[@aiellostudios3333]

Thanks for the comment. Will have to check out the drinking fountain the next time we are there.