Fiddletown

In 1932, during the eighty-third anniversary celebration of the founding of Fiddletown (Oleta), visitors and residents alike chanced to wonder, why was the name changed? What significance was there to the name Oleta? Fiddletown seemed much more historic and right. Maybe the name could be changed back?By this time it didn't take an act of legislature to change the name of an un-incorporated town. All you had to do was petition the postmaster to change the name of the town's post office. So once again a petition circulated in Fiddletown (Oleta), upon which sixty-four residents signed their names. Copies were sent to the U.S. postal department and the postmaster general, and in early June of 1932, the news came to town that on July 1 of 1932, Oleta would die. Long live Fiddletown!

Restored schoolhouse was constructed in 1852 to replace another school. It operated until 1955 as an eight grade, three teacher school. The old school bell still rests in the small tower atop the schoolhouse.

Unlike the neighboring lowland camps, Fiddletown lacked the deep quartz mines which would have sustained it when the placers played out. So when the gold began to go away, so did the people. The town never really gave up the ghost; however, as it remained somewhat of a supply point for the region and home to many of its original settlers.Fiddletown didn't disappear, but it died in early February of 1878.

Settle by Missourians, 1849 Suggested that settlement be called Fiddletown because residents "were always Fiddling" changed in 1878 to Oleta but original name later restored once trading center for American, Loafer, and French Flats, Lone Hill and other rich mining camps, Bret Harte added to communities fame in 'An Episode of Fiddletown".

All graphics created and owned by Ray and Cheryl Herndon