Branson City, California Explained

33.0781°N -116.6172°W

Branson City
Other Name:Branson
Settlement Type:Ghost town
Pushpin Map:California#USA
Pushpin Label Position:bottom
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in California
Pushpin Image:California Locator Map with US.PNG
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:California
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:San Diego County
Established Date:1870
Coordinates:33.0781°N -116.6172°W
Elevation Footnotes:[1]
Elevation Ft:3996

Branson City or Branson is a ghost town in San Diego County, California. It lies at an elevation of 3996 feet. It is located on State Highway 78 at its junction with Pine Hills Road, about one mile west of Julian.

History

Branson City was founded in August 1870 by a lawyer, Lewis C. Branson, west of Julian, along Coleman Creek, in the Julian Mining District. Branson City had a store, saloon, and a dance-hall, and also a post office from August 19, 1870, to October 13, 1870.[2] Julian being closer to the lode gold being found in the hills farther up stream, supplanted Branson City, which was also more exposed to the elements than Julian and it soon disappeared.[3]

Notes and References

  1. http://www.topoquest.com/place-detail.php?id=1868955 Branson (historical), California, USGS 24K Map, Julian, CA; from topoquest.com, accessed 3/10/2013
  2. Frickstad, Walter N., A Century of California Post Offices 1848-1954, Philatelic Research Society, Oakland, CA. 1955, pp. 147-158.
  3. Leland Fetzer, San Diego County Place Names, A To Z; Sunbelt Publications, Inc., San Diego, 2005, p.15