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Believed to be the first gold camp established in what is now northern Amador County, Drytown, along Highway 49, was established in 1848. The name doesn't fit the town; often Dry Creek, rushing through here, overflows with water in the winter season. In its Gold Rush heyday, the town featured 26 saloons to quench the thirst of the miners. Perhaps coincidentally, the first temperance movement in the state was founded here. Fire leveled the town in 1857 or thereabouts, although several brick buildings remain from the boom years.

An old brick building dating from the 1850s is said to have been used by George Hearst, father of William Randolph Hearst, the publishing tycoon. The elder Hearst operated a printing press here and maintained his mining office.

Today, look for several antique shops in this little village. The post office, which doubles as a gift shop, is especially interesting (see below).