Campo Seco was settled in 1849 by Mexican miners who were working Oregon Gulch. The rich placers in the area attracted a large number of miners and within a year, the town had a large population representing over forty different nationalities. A fire in 1854 destroyed all the wooden buildings in town

The name Campo Seco, Spanish for Dry Camp, refers to the lack of water in the area. The town is on Campo Seco Road north of Valley Springs.

There are a number of impressive stone ruins remaining in this sleepy town, including the Adams Express office pictured above.

A close-up of the doors from the Adams Express office.

The Chinese section of Campo Seco contains two stone ruins tiled with an unusual green stone.