Branson City, California

33°04′41″N 116°37′2″W / 33.07806°N 116.61722°W / 33.07806; -116.61722

Ghost town in California, United States

Branson City Branson
Ghost town
Branson City Location in California Show map of California Branson City Branson City (the United States) Show map of the United States
Coordinates: 33°04′41″N 116°37′2″W / 33.07806°N 116.61722°W / 33.07806; -116.61722
Country	United States
State	California
County	San Diego County
Elevation ^[1]	3,996 ft (1,218 m)

Branson City or Branson is a ghost town in San Diego County, California.^[1] It lies at an elevation of 3996 feet.^[1] 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]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c Branson (historical), California, USGS 24K Map, Julian, CA; from topoquest.com, accessed 3/10/2013
^ Frickstad, Walter N., A Century of California Post Offices 1848-1954, Philatelic Research Society, Oakland, CA. 1955, pp. 147-158.
^ Leland Fetzer, San Diego County Place Names, A To Z; Sunbelt Publications, Inc., San Diego, 2005, p.15