Time for Homecoming… Copper Style! by Greg Kristapovich
Linda Beck, an organizer for Homecoming, points to an archival photo of early Copper miners. Photo by Greg Kristapovich.
The Clampers displaying their large flag. Photo courtesy of Cliff and Sandy Rollings.
The town was built on copper, and many old-timers will gladly give you their two cents worth; but this little town called Copperopolis (pop. 2,363) has a wealth of history behind it! June 6th is Copperopolis Homecoming: the perfect time to learn about the town’s rich history, and have fun at the same time! Founded in 1860, at the site of the second large discovery of copper ore in the region, (the first was Telegraph City), Copperopolis grew quickly. When the mines closed in 1946, they had yielded 72,598,883 pounds of copper, worth over $12 million! The town has many claims to fame says Linda Beck, an 11 year member and current Vice President of the Copperopolis Community Center’s Board of Directors. In the beginning, “Homecoming was for all of the ranchers. Once a year, they’d bring all the founding families back together and they’d get their kids to come back to Copperopolis! They’d have a meal and maybe a dance or bingo” explains Linda. This year’s theme is “Black Bart.” According to legend, Mr. Bart’s first and last stagecoach robbery was in Copperopolis! Will there be another stagecoach robbery? Who knows? Certainly there will be lots of activities, including a pancake breakfast in “Old Town” (at 8 a.m.), at the Historic Armory – in which there’ll also be a quilt display, (“With all the quilters in town, we have a wonderful quilting organization!” exclaimed Linda.) music and vendors! Their incredible parade starts at 11 a.m. This year’s Grand Marshals are Pastor Ted and Dede Mustill. After the parade, there’ll be a kids’ bounce house, raffle and a parade awards ceremony! Also, everyone’s invited to Tower Family Museum, which has among the many artifacts, a working replica of a smelter and a copper mine! And Emergency Service Day/Open House will take place at Copper Fire Station #1 (across from the post office)! Homecoming is sponsored by the non-profit Copperopolis Community Center. and funds raised will be used to restore and maintain the old Historic Church and the Historic Armory. “Both are brick, both are hard to maintain, both have had issues” Linda admits. Homecoming is very important says Linda. “All the funds we get from our Homecoming event go toward the continued preservation and restoration of these two old buildings!” Long live Copperopolis!!! 
The Copper Chopper motorcycle group ready for the parade. Photo courtesy of Cliff and Sandy Rollings.
