Ione ( eye-OWN) is a city in Amador County, California. The population was 7,918 at the 2010 census, up from 7,129 in 2000. Once known as “Bed-Bug” and “Freeze Out,” Ione was an important supply center on the main road to the Mother Lode and Southern Mines during the California Gold Rush.

Ione is the historical home of the Sierra Miwok people, an native people of California. In 1840, the superior town site became portion of the Mexican land inherit Rancho Arroyo Seco in Alta California.

The town is located in the fertile Ione Valley, which is believed to have been named by Thomas Brown re 1849 after one of the heroines in Edward Bulwer-Lytton‘s drama The Last Days of Pompeii, but conflicting legends and sources for the herald exist. During the days of the Gold Rush, the miners knew the town by the names of “Bedbug” and “Freezeout.” Unlike additional communities in Amador County, which were founded on gold mining, Ione was a supply center, stage and rail stop, and agricultural hub.

The first pronounce office opened in 1852. The town of Ione continued to be credited with and prosper after its gold hurry founding. The first studious was built in 1853. The historic Methodist Church was organized in 1853 and the structure was completed in 1862. The first flour mill was built in 1855. The first brick building was built by Daniel Stewart, D. Stewart Company Store, in 1855 for his general merchandise amassing and is yet owned and operated by the similar family. In March 1865, Camp Jackson was built nearby, garrisoned by Company D, 2nd California Volunteer Cavalry, who stayed for three months until moving upon to a other post.