Mokelumne Hill (Mokelumne, Miwok for “People of the Fish Net”) is a census-designated place (CDP) in Calaveras County, California, United States. The population was 646 at the 2010 census, down from 774 at the 2000 census. It is commonly referred to as “Moke Hill” by locals. The town takes its pronounce from the adjacent to Mokelumne River, which in viewpoint is Miwok for the “people of Mokel,” the likely make known of a Native American village in the area.

Mokelumne Hill was one of the richest gold mining towns in California. Founded in 1848 by a outfit of Oregonians, the placers were so rich that the miners risked starvation rather than head to Stockton to replenish their supplies (one finally did and made it wealthy by becoming a merchant). Soon after, gold was discovered in the comprehensible hills, so much therefore that miners were restricted to claims of 16 square feet (1.5 m), and still many of those claims were reported to have paid occurring to $20,000.

By 1850 the town was one of the largest in the area. Its population reached as high as 15,000 taking into account people of all nationalities, particularly Americans, Frenchmen, Germans, Spaniards, Chileans, Mexicans, and Chinese. Besides racial tensions, the easy gold attracted criminal elements, and the town gained a reputation as one of the bawdiest in the area. Notorious bandit Joaquin Murrieta is said to have been a frequent visitor to the gambling venues. Violence was a major difficulty as well. In 1851, there was at least one homicide a week for seventeen consecutive weeks.

A June, 1851, incident in Mokelumne Hill has been dubbed California’s French Revolution, or French War, by some historians. The previous year the State Legislature had passed the Foreign Miners’ Tax Act of 1850. Frenchmen in the Place revolted and refused to pay the tax. The Sheriff, also the Tax Collector, summoned a large posse to enforce the act, but the Frenchmen raised the French flag and proclaimed their independence. This prompted the Governor to forward a battalion of militia, commanded by William D. Bradshaw, to suppress the revolt. Disaster was averted bearing in mind Bradshaw negotiated in the same way as the Frenchmen to stand down.