Carolyn..I'm sure someone who has studied their history better than me can you give you exact locations for the two areas you questioned. I know they're not "down there". According to Mason's History of Amador County 1881....under heading for Jackson area Slab City "This place took its name from the cabins being built of slabs from Huffaker's mill in the early fifties. It had in 1855 to 1860 some fifty or sixty miners. The shallow gulches were soon worked out and the place is now converted to farming ground. The same may be said of Irishtown, once a lively camp." And as for New York Ranch, it was in the eastern section of Jackson. A lot of my family lived there during the 1860-1870's. Still a road called New York Ranch Road. While searching my book shelves for a book that would answer your question (which is no easy feat as along with research books are Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, Wind in the Willows & other such treasures from my childhood) I found an old book on the Mother Lode & will see if the body is as willing as the spirit to put the index out on the list. Jackie in California [email protected]