Idria
Idria is the name of the small ghost town located about 60 miles southeast from Hollister that developed to support the homes, business and milling for the New Idria Quicksilver mining operations. The name "Idria" is from Idrija, a city located in Slovenia that is famous for its quicksilver production since 1497.
Idria around 1942 - Courtesy Library of Congress, Photographer Andreas Feininger
Although quicksilver mining began in 1853, the town didn't develop until around 1857. Idria was first mentioned in 1858 and two restaurants opened that same year. The first child was born in New Idria on January 13, 1859. The name New Idria appears on the U.S. General Land Office 1879 map. The New Idria post office opened in 1869 and the post office dropped "New" from its name in 1894. Postal authorities closed the post office in 1934 and opened it again in 1938, and closed it again in 1974 when the New Idria Mine closed.
There still remains a cemetery and about three-dozen buildings in the town in various states of decay (including the large furnace building in the center of town). The entire town is located on private property. The beautifully colored lake above Idria is the drinking water reservoir for the town.
Idria 2003 - Courtesy Three Rocks Research
Idria ca 1916 - Courtesy California State Mining Bureau, Bulletin No. 78. Quicksilver Resources of California.