Unlike most towns in the Gold Country, Copperopolis' claim to fame is copper mining, opening in 1860. A particularly vital need given the Civil War and bullet-making. After the war, the mines closed (shipping to the East Coast was quite pricey), re-opened during both World Wars, and finally shut down for good in 1946. 2,300 or so folks still call the town home.

Not a bad sign, really, though I was surprised to see it doesn't look a thing like a copper sign.	Downtown of the older part of town; on the left is the internet shop, amongst other things.	The Copperopolis Post Office.
The CalFire station in town, right across from the Copperopolis Fire District station. Curious.	The "new" downtown of Copperopolis -- fancy, shiny, and designed to look old.	Town Hall. (Not quite a "Back to the Future" town square, but not too different from it, either.)