In 1851, two brothers – Charles and Joseph Dornbach – settled in this little mining community.  The brothers, who were German, were referred to by the common nickname for Germans in those days – “Dutch.”  The mining camp that developed became known as Dutch Charlie’s Flat, and then was shortened to Dutch Flat.  In the 1870s, an unsuccessful attempt was mad to rename the town German Level.

Dutch Flat was a rich mining location founded on top of a mile long bed of gold-bearing gravel.  Over the years, dozens of mine companies operated and millions of dollars of gold was extracted.  However, Dutch Flat is better known for its impact on the development of the transcontinental railroad.

In 1861, a young engineer named Theodore Judah visits Dutch Flat.  Judah has a dream of building a route across the Sierra Nevada.  Many consider this impossible. He will meet with Dr. Daniel Strong in Dutch Flat.  Strong has read Judah’s pamphlet about his proposal and suggested an alternative path that avoids the treacherous and already existing Donner Summit route.  Strong will show Judah his route.  It provides a much gentler slope over the mountains that would be easier to construct.  At the very least, Judah envisions a profitable wagon road, but his dream of a railroad route still predominates. Judah will complete maps and survey documentation of the Sierra Nevada route at Dr. Strong’s store in Dutch Flat.  Judah is the visionary for what will soon become known as the Central Pacific Railroad.

At one point, Dutch Flat was considered as the western terminus of the Transcontinental Railroad – this honor will ultimately be bestowed upon Sacramento.