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Founded in 1850, the Gold Rush boomtown of Columbia survived several major fires and a lengthy decline as nearby gold deposits were slowly exhausted. But in 1945, Main Street was acquired by the state and preserved as a charming historic park.Today, cars are banned from the 12 square blocks of park-owned streets, and costumed park employees traverse the tree-shaded brick sidewalks in re-creation of daily life between 1850 and 1870. Several structures, among them the Wells Fargo depot and the Masonic lodge, are maintained as museums, while others are operated as private concessions under state regulation to maintain historical authenticity.