Listed as a historic district in the National Register, downtown Jackson was founded during the raucous Gold Rush era. Jackson grew out of this colorful and renowned past to be one of the Mother Lode’s most successful towns. Since becoming Amador County’s seat in 1854, Jackson has come a long way from its gold, girls, and gambling. Today, the legacy of high-spirited shopkeepers, innkeepers, and restaurateurs remains alive on Historic Main Street to serve a new generation of visitors.

Jackson’s business owners delight in sharing local history -- as many of Main Street’s original facades and interior walls have recorded the past in period photographs -- and remnants of underground tunnels still guard the town’s scandalous secrets! The streets above, however, hold nothing back during the annual events that include the Lions Club Dandelion Days Flea Market (mid-March), the Gold Country Cruise Car Show (mid-May), Amador County Heritage Days (October), and Christmas Delights Open House (Thanksgiving weekend).

Located throughout historic downtown Jackson, visitors will also find antiques galore, art galleries, home décor, hand-made pottery, beading and fiber arts, American west and Indian crafts. Discover fine jewelry, a trading company, unique cookware, rare edition books, Celtic imports, and new and vintage apparel.

Time Period Represented: 1860 to the present