There are are two small towns along U.S. Highway 395 in in the mining district of the Rand Mountains Area in California, called Johannesburg and Randsburg.
Johannesburg was founded to support mining operations at Randsburg and was named by miners who had previously worked in South Africa.
The town is also referred to as "Jo-burg" by locals and visitors.
The Yellow Aster and Rand Silver mines were discovered in the late 19th century and during the first half of the 20th Century the Rand Mining District was the principal gold and silver producer in California.
Johannesburg Avenue, Randsburg Loop, Oompaul Street, Transvaal Avenue, The Rand, Ophir Street, Highland Avenue and Buluwago Street - these are some of the familiar sounding street names in Johannesburg, California. |
