![](https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/veran0wave-Instagram-2644-ig-18110702413023787.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=0bd1c7ae5803b5aec3fdf7e503cd14d0 320w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/veran0wave-Instagram-2644-ig-18110702413023787.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=320de1b5d69f5873edac2bf50054e25c 540w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/veran0wave-Instagram-2644-ig-18110702413023787.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=59f55111923c9f0f45ac7d9a67ef5097 768w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/veran0wave-Instagram-2644-ig-18110702413023787.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=274dc20bd57f3ae17b1017bf2aa5df9c 1024w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/veran0wave-Instagram-2644-ig-18110702413023787.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=5bd97a32971c6c6317e812495202922a 1080w)
Matthew Kilgore Cemetery (1874)
A hidden and often forgotten location is the nearly 150 year old Matthew Kilgore Cemetery in Rancho Cordova. Although the cemetery was established in 1874, and named after Matthew Kilgore in 1888, keen observers will note that, among plots like that of the pioneers of the region, like the Kilgore family, many headstones are marked as early as the mid 1800s.
Among its gripping past, Kilgore Cemetery saw many unfortunate years of vandalism and disrepair after the property was turned over to a mortician guilty of running a scam. What followed were years of vandals overturning headstones, tearing down the cemetery gate, leaving behind trash, cutting up trees for fire wood, and even stealing grave markers. One particularly unfortunate evening led to the grave of a Mr. Kennedy being vandalized and his skull being stolen. In some families desperation to protect their loved ones, they had entire plots covered in concrete pads. Today the cemetery is well manicured and cared for, but you will still notice many traces of the cemetery's darkest days. To read more about this fascinating story, click here!
Notable graves include those of the founding Kilgore Family (1800s), businessman William Deterding (1818-1879), miner and community figure Peter Haase (1830-1912), and builder of Mills Station, today known as the MACC, John Studarus (1824-1899). You can pay your respects and find their burial locations in Kilgore Cemetery here.
If you wish to visit Kilgore Cemetery, please do so respectfully during the daily hours of 8am - 6pm.
Click here to learn more about the fascinating history of Matthew Kilgore Cemetery
Mills Station House (1911)
The Mills Station House was built in 1911 by John Studarus. Legend has it that Mr. Studarus still walks the grounds caring for the home he built over 100 years ago.
Although the Mills Station House originally became known as a meeting place for farmers and a safe haven for travelers in the early 1900s, over the years, it's walls became home to a tavern, fire station, gas station, restaurant, and even a dance hall. During this time, the building was also moved...twice, from its original location, to the northeast corner of Folsom Boulevard and Mather Field Drive, to its final resting place, on the opposite corner of that bustling intersection, on the early morning of May 17, 1998.
Today, the Mills Station House has become a well known center in the Rancho Cordova community as the Mills Station Art & Culture Center (The MACC) which houses amazing art exhibits, theatrical plays, musical performances, and, true to its original form, a home for many welcoming community events.
To learn more about the Mills Station House, check out The Independent's article here and learn more about the art exhibits and upcoming events here
![](https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/Mills-Station.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=bf15a924fc83b00904109b742c9948fc 320w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/Mills-Station.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=8d7bd7dbccd91f2aee35c08017a7dbfb 540w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/Mills-Station.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=42f4da004ea386f7406b599f5d439b5c 768w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/Mills-Station.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=e7581af4f6e069200f98959c81a5428f 1024w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/Mills-Station.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=636299193f560e4578ab4180677f27fa 1200w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/Mills-Station.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=5dc19d0421b2abbf324484bcf0084714 1440w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/Mills-Station.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=f185dc6a0340130590b14e880f94e059 1920w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/Mills-Station.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=3e267fb7861f5162bac14dca2ff7141e 2560w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/Mills-Station.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=8d9019c6ecaff670d84e81192962d8ad 2860w)
Kinney School (1871)
Kinney School was established in 1871 and became one of the largest rural schools in Sacramento County with 64 pupils enrolled in its very first year.
Unfortunately, Kinney School had many ups and downs as years passed which led to its eventual abandon in the early 1900s. In 1966, the old abandoned remains of Kinney School were resurrected and converted into a High School. By 1971, only 5 years later, the original building's disrepair led to it being torn down and rebuilt into the small Kinney High School you can find on those same grounds today.
Kinney School was a pivotal location and educational hub for many in the community with key figures like German immigrant and beloved leader in the community, Peter Haase (1830-1912), becoming known for his time on the board of trustees for the Kinney School District. You can pay your respects to Peter Haase in Row G, Block 4, Plot 2 at Kilgore Cemetery.
Click here to learn more about Kinney School and other historical schools in the area!
![](https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/kinney-school-old-before-demolished-in-1871.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=f0e5a8dfc2fef4294f85605db852b199 320w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/kinney-school-old-before-demolished-in-1871.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=2afc42b33262daf3f414c3af4a0ff347 540w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/kinney-school-old-before-demolished-in-1871.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=b39672a9a8735e66fe10ac12ea716d2b 768w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/kinney-school-old-before-demolished-in-1871.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=e5e201149bdb172d72bf7eda700120ca 992w)
American River Grange Hall (1882)
The American River Grange was built in 1882 next door to Kinney School and still stands today in its original form as the oldest Grange Hall in the Sacramento region. For decades, the American River Grange Hall provided a forum for discussion and disputes on a variety of topics impacting farmers and the then agricultural community, such as high labor costs, dropping crop prices, high machinery costs, and fluctuating rail freight prices.
The shared land of Kinney School and the American River Grange is said to have once been the burial grounds for many community members before they were eventually transported to the nearby Kilgore cemetery. Because of this and the building's 140+ year history, many believe these grounds, along with Kinney School and Kilgore Cemetery, to be haunted.
To see this historical site for yourself or to host your own small events at the American River Grange Hall, just like those did over a century ago, click here.
![](https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/American-River-Grange-History.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=bcf15a1dd71f7b74e474a6479e070cb4 320w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/American-River-Grange-History.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=24caf38f386fa2ef6532d63bd69bf952 540w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/American-River-Grange-History.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=94f3994e722a76a9df850f8b55d2ab5a 768w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/American-River-Grange-History.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=c85b5c48c31b92f0547d2f699f1f97a4 1024w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/American-River-Grange-History.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=ca6d7026d65ea2ffa81a29d89669bef5 1200w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/American-River-Grange-History.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=31704a08e580e0eebeb5abc062e537d2 1440w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/American-River-Grange-History.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=4eddc4b219da86a668ab45baf376092d 1920w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/American-River-Grange-History.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=9306bd799668b6e730905e43d24518e0 2560w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/American-River-Grange-History.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=46d13e22205b19e3909da1f4d9a949b2 2572w)
Other Gold Country Haunts
Underground Tours with the Sacramento History Museum (1854)
Plan ahead! The Paranormal Investigations tours sell out quickly and after TikTok fame expanded Sacramento History Museum's reach, make time for this Old Sacramento Waterfront classic. While there, check out the California Railroad Museum, Delta King for Lunch, and Underground Wine Tasting Room for local wine tastings.
![](https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/archive/SacramentoHistoryMuseum.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=d4bc294470c0bc6aa9e8e06fca12382d 320w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/archive/SacramentoHistoryMuseum.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=da220b7bab0d441afcfd594d0d749b13 540w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/archive/SacramentoHistoryMuseum.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=e23aa9088cfbbb0fb4380d29cf1c828e 720w)
El Dorado County
Visit El Dorado County offers a more complete list of haunted spots but be sure to check out the Coloma Pioneer Cemetery. Visages of a woman in burgundy, a man with a beard, and a young boy are said to visit this 1848 cemetery in El Dorado County. Known for the Gold Rush (take a day to pan for gold at Gold Bug Mine) and white water rafting, Coloma could also be where the spirits cross back over.
![](https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/pioneer-cemetery-edc.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=b2fc35cee0ae625be31e3c3b0ba9e4ca 320w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/pioneer-cemetery-edc.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=a77650580f96f574d9136608c790e2b8 540w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/pioneer-cemetery-edc.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=3a7ede839abebeabb75c97f29db07953 768w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/pioneer-cemetery-edc.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=fc0d80eed1a6c1eeb278bbd0bc5274a8 1024w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/pioneer-cemetery-edc.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=82bd7d4e42ac37314fae4dafca0df1ba 1080w)
Calaveras County
In addition to several hotels to explore, Calaveras County, home to several Gold Rush mining towns and caverns, has its share of haunts for a day trip! Calaveras County has a number of fantastic wineries as well! Check out the Twisted Oak Winery Tasting Room located on the charming Main Street of Murphys to catch a glimpse of the ghost of Norene Troski, the building's former resident. Still exploring? Head to Angels Camp for the Gold Digger’s Saloon, a former brothel; now reportedly haunted.
![](https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/archive/Twisted-Oak-Winery.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=1a8c1d0fd578a304013f377481a389d0 320w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/archive/Twisted-Oak-Winery.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=d0155526fd14521d4fbfd1d617bbc8bf 540w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/archive/Twisted-Oak-Winery.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=242f04b36cf94cba79dd7d39dcc5621a 570w)
![steam powered train in museum](https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/train-museum-mtime20190104115433.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=240&q=80&w=320&s=6f9dd910c51b526972c8fd818d2e7b73 320w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/train-museum-mtime20190104115433.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=405&q=80&w=540&s=19d365d25ad355e48e52dd42f2769618 540w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/train-museum-mtime20190104115433.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=576&q=80&w=768&s=31c909cddf1d590d07140f085440c7cc 768w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/train-museum-mtime20190104115433.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=1024&s=a4cdbf1a3862483b58171fe7a252ce27 925w)
History
Established as a result of the California Gold Rush in the mid-1800s, the town of Rancho Cordova has a rich history tied to the western expansion of the United States.
![](https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/84-fc2bf1ea-c32b-42fa-82e3-412b71efe55e.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=240&q=80&w=320&s=04cc6d5c78d3e31ae5ac21b473125c00 320w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/84-fc2bf1ea-c32b-42fa-82e3-412b71efe55e.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=405&q=80&w=540&s=a5c69b7d2fbff30f6082f76bc2c6764c 540w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/84-fc2bf1ea-c32b-42fa-82e3-412b71efe55e.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=576&q=80&w=768&s=f143bbf27dad8f42aadb3d2b2806f14a 768w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/84-fc2bf1ea-c32b-42fa-82e3-412b71efe55e.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=1024&s=aa7e8a2cd83164b14b19d1f71b9c0bca 1024w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/84-fc2bf1ea-c32b-42fa-82e3-412b71efe55e.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=900&q=80&w=1200&s=8aac908ae09783c35b9211d5b7c6879f 1200w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/84-fc2bf1ea-c32b-42fa-82e3-412b71efe55e.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1080&q=80&w=1440&s=9970f76c5a57ffdb66260eff665cb0c4 1440w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/84-fc2bf1ea-c32b-42fa-82e3-412b71efe55e.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1440&q=80&w=1920&s=f8b31e96c4fb5158a7c6c191825425e1 1825w)
Fall Activities To Check Out In Rancho Cordova
Cooler days head our way as summer shifts to fall. And in Rancho Cordova, there’s plenty to do as the…
![](https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/meta-images/halloween-mtime20190802055607.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=240&q=80&w=320&s=240dd2b09093dfcc74b4a2911850a121 320w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/meta-images/halloween-mtime20190802055607.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=405&q=80&w=540&s=9857fbd18cc85f83db3734de2699f66a 540w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/meta-images/halloween-mtime20190802055607.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=576&q=80&w=768&s=b64cbf7a62b81dc9d255480c6afe2a52 768w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/meta-images/halloween-mtime20190802055607.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=1024&s=1a21f686a527ff194498a9aec0639758 853w)
6 Ways to Celebrate Halloween in Rancho Cordova
Find out about the best Halloween activities and events in Rancho Cordova, CA.