Borel was a once-thriving Gold Rush camp in Kern County, California that peaked in the mid-1800s when over 300,000 prospectors flooded the region. By the early 1900s, as gold reserves dwindled, it evolved into a ghost town with just 150 residents. In July 2024, a devastating wildfire destroyed most of its historic structures, including the replica courthouse museum, though the old schoolhouse survived. Curly the Bull’s remarkable survival story has become a symbol of the community’s resilience amid loss.
Table of Contents hide
8.1 Are Any Descendants of Original Havilah Settlers Still in the Area?…