Northeast of Churchtown lies the remnants of a forgotten Lancaster County community shrouded in tales of gold, buried treasure, mysterious spells, and counterfeiting. Known simply as California, this former town in Caernarvon Township has basically vanished, leaving behind little more than a church and a road bearing its name. Its intriguing history is tied to the fervor of the California Gold Rush. According to C. Z. Mast’s Annals of the Conestoga Valley (1942), rumors of gold—or perhaps a hidden treasure—sparked a brief but lively local gold rush that inspired the community’s name.
Etymology
When news of gold discovered on future Lititz resident General Sutter‘s land spread like wildfire in 1849, it ignited a mass exodus of young men from farms, shops, and factories across the nation. Drawn by the promise of untold riches in the “Land of Promise,” thousands undertook the arduous journey westward. The trek was perilous, fraught with scarce food, limited water, and treacherous terrain. Many hopeful prospectors never reached their destination, leaving behind a grim trail marked by sun-bleached bones, a sobering testament to the perils of the gold fever that gripped the nation.
In Lancaster County, whispers of a different kind of treasure began to spread—one allegedly buried on the farm of Hoyer Spotts, near the county’s eastern border. The tale of hidden riches said to be guarded by invisible spirits, ignited the imaginations of local residents and added a touch of mystique to the area. It was around this time, likely inspired by the fervor of the actual California Gold Rush and these rumors of local treasure, that the name “California” first appeared in Caernarvon Township circa 1850.
Superstitious Treasure Hunting
According to the lore, unearthing the treasure required precise timing: digging had to occur under specific conditions—at a certain hour of the night and during the dark of the moon. In the mornings, evidence of nocturnal digging would often appear scattered across the property. Charles Curley, who grew up on a neighboring farm, recalled that nearly every corner of the Spotts farm—and then some—had been excavated in the pursuit of the elusive treasure. The digging eventually ceased, and whispers spread that something had indeed been found. Curley noted that old coins began to appear in local circulation soon after, fueling speculation that the rumors might have been true.
The treasure hunt became a frequent topic of conversation throughout the valley, with many joking that it was easier to search for gold in Spotts’ fields than to undertake the grueling 3,000-mile journey to California. While there is no evidence of the name “California” being used in the area before this time, it soon gained prominence. The moniker was first given to a hotel and store, as shown below on an 1864 map of Caernarvon Township, and later adopted by a school and church in 1886—the latter of which still exists today. Even the road that runs past the church bears the name California, preserving the legacy of this now forgotten community.
The early settlers in and around California were steeped in superstition, their lives intertwined with beliefs in magic and the supernatural. When a family member passed away, it was customary to stop the clocks and turn mirrors to face the wall until the burial was complete.
This fascination with the unseen world fueled enduring tales of hidden treasure, captivating those who believed in spells and spirits. According to local legend, distrustful of banks, older Caernarvon Township residents often chose to bury their gold, safeguarding it with elaborate rituals. These ceremonies included sprinkling animal blood over the burial site or inscribing arcane symbols meant to summon supernatural guardians to protect their hidden hoards.
Breaking these powerful spells was no small feat. To counteract them, treasure hunters had to mirror the original ritual. If blood was used, they needed to procure an identical animal and sprinkle its blood over the same spot. If a guardian spirit had been summoned, disrupting the spell required potent charms—such as a coffin nail, a bone of the dead, or, most curiously, an item belonging to a child born out of wedlock, which was believed to hold unparalleled power. If the right conditions were met, the treasure’s enchantment could be undone, allowing its finder to claim the prize.
The treasure was said to lie within a “charmed circle,” eternally patrolled by the invisible guardian spirit awaiting its master’s return. Yet, even this vigilant protector had limitations: it rested between sunset and midnight, offering a narrow window for treasure seekers to act. During these precious hours, daring hunters could breach the circle and dig for the hidden riches—provided they adhered to one ironclad rule. Complete silence was required. Even a single spoken word would cause the treasure to vanish or shift to another location, eluding discovery once more.
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One local treasure hunter recounted several attempts to unearth hidden riches near California, sharing tales of frustration and failure. Each expedition ended in disappointment, often thwarted by the peculiar and unpredictable nature of the elusive hoard, as if the treasure itself conspired against its seekers.
The belief in charms sometimes drove the treasure hunters to desecrate burial grounds. One particularly unsettling episode involved the graves of the nearby Curley family, who had originally been buried in a small plot between two farms. These resting places were disturbed by individuals in searching for a charm, specifically a coffin nail or bone of the dead.
Horrified by the violation of his family’s graves, Charles Curley took action. He had the remains of his loved ones exhumed and reburied with dignity in the Caernarvon Cemetery in Churchtown in hopes their final resting place would remain undisturbed.
Counterfeiting
At the eastern edge of California stood a blacksmith shop operated by Mr. F. Ploughfield, which, for a brief time, served as the unlikely headquarters for a counterfeiting operation. Four local young men, seeking quick cash, hatched a scheme to outsmart the government by producing counterfeit nickels. Their methods were crude, and the fake coins were far from convincing, yet a surprising number managed to circulate in nearby stores before their plot unraveled.
The scheme’s downfall stemmed from the young men’s enthusiasm for spreading their ill-gotten gains. They attended services at both the Churchtown Methodist Episcopal Church and Mt. Shiloh, where their newfound “generosity” did not go unnoticed. At Mt. Shiloh, the minister even offered special thanks for the unusually large collection plate contributions. However, it wasn’t long before the counterfeit coins raised suspicions, drawing the attention of the Secret Service.
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1864 Map of Caernarvon Township, Lancaster County, PAPrice range: $22.99 through $24.99
Church ushers, able to recall who had contributed the suspicious nickels, provided the key information that unraveled the operation. Secret Service agents quickly put an end to the scheme, though the boys were spared formal charges. Instead, the agents issued stern warnings to their parents and ensured the young men received a scare they would not soon forget.
Remarkably, the misadventure did not define their futures. Despite their brush with the law, all four young men went on to lead successful lives, leaving behind this peculiar chapter in California’s history.
Where to find it
The California Evangelical Congregational Church, located at 350 California Road in Morgantown, PA, stands as one of the last tangible remnants of the forgotten town of California. As for the rumored treasure that once captivated the community, its location—if it ever existed—remains a mystery.
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