Harrisburg | |
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Coordinates: 36°21′50″N117°06′41″W / 36.36389°N 117.11139°W | |
Country | United States |
State | California |
County | Inyo County |
Elevation | 4,987 ft (1,520 m) |
Harrisburg (formerly, Harrisberry) is an unincorporated community in Inyo County, California. [1] It lies at an elevation of 4987 feet (1520 m). [1]
The town was originally named for Shorty Harris and Peter Aguerreberry, discoverers of gold near the site in 1905. [2] [3]
Harrisburg was said to reach around 300 at peak population, but is currently uninhabited [4]
Between the years of 1905 and 1945, Harrisburg (then Harrisberry) was the site of Eureka mine, which started as a joint venture. Aguerreberry and Captain Fleece, an otherwise unknown figure in history, fought over the land in 1907-1909 and Aguerreberry ended up with possession of the site. [5] He also constructed a two-room structure with a gas stove and fridge, and later in 1941 constructed a guest house.
Between 1907 and Aguerreberry's death in 1945, he mostly worked this site alone, in contrast to the more commercial and industrial enterprises to the north nearer Skidoo, California. [4]
He died on 23 Nov 1945 and since then in 1946 an additional hut was constructed, probably by his nephew, Joseph the administrator of his estate. [4] The mine is not currently accessible to the public due to dangerous conditions.