Camptonville dates back to the 1850's and was named after a popular blacksmith named Robert Campton in 1854. The town was on top of the famous "Blue Lead" which ran from Brandy City to North San Juan. A post office was established in 1854 and the area boosted a population of over 1300.
  Hydraulic mining was quite profitable in the area and in 1860 the gold figure reached $600,000!  The town is quite famous as the birthplace of Lester Pelton, the man who invented the Pelton Water Wheel. 

  In 1905 a electric powered 3-Stamp Mill was up and running, this is what we set out to find in Camptonville.