Amador City was originally settled in 1849 at what is now Turner Road and Amador Creek (an old wagon road between Drytown and Sutter Creek) by several groups of gold panners who were drawn to the area.

José María Amador panned the creek, but his primary success was providing supplies that he brought from his rancheria in the San Ramon area.

José María Amador left the group after six months, returning to his rancheria.

The rancheria had suffered during his absence, and he needed to care for his ailing wife.

José María Amador must have made a significant impression among the other panners.

[8] Early in 1851 gold quartz veins were discovered along the same creek but further west.

Shortly stamps mills were brought in to process the hard quartz that the gold veins were embedded in.

These stamp mills were so remarkable that it drew the attention of Eadweard Muybridge.

In the California State Legislature, Amador City is in the 8th Senate District, represented by Democrat Angelique Ashby,[3] and in the 5th Assembly District, represented by Republican Joe Patterson.

An abandoned brick building stands next to the Fleehart Store, an example of reflection of historic stonemasonry in the area.

Also on Main Street is the old Imperial Hotel, another example of historic Californian brickwork.

[13] A bridge replacement project completed in 2014 has beautified and revitalized the center of the city, providing patio dining at the Imperial Hotel, new public restrooms and improved access to the businesses in the area.