NO. 251 VALLEY
SPRINGS - in 1885 the San Joaquin and Sierra Nevada Railroad Company completed a
narrow-gauge railroad from Brack's Landing to Valley Springs. The line
eventually became the property of Southern Pacific Company, and a standard-gauge
line into Valley Springs was substituted. Location: At intersection of State Hwys 12 and 26, Valley Springs USGS Quadrangle Sheet Name: VALLEY SPRINGS
NO. 252 SAN ANDREAS - Settled by Mexicans in 1848 and named after the Catholic
parish St. Andres, the town has been a noted mining camp since early days. Gold
from the surrounding ancient river channels and placer mines contributed greatly
to the success of the Union during the Civil War. The first newspaper was
published here on September 24, 1846. Destroyed by fire June 4, 1858, and in
1863, San Andreas became the seat of Calaveras County in 1866. It was said to be
a rendezvous for Joaquin Murieta - notorious stage robber Black Bart was tried
here and sent to prison. Location: NW corner of State Hwy 49 and Main St, San Andreas
NO. 253 SANDY GULCH - This monument was erected to the memory of pioneers of
Sandy Gulch, 1849 trading center for miners of northeastern Calaveras County.
The settlement, in an area that was home to many Miwok Indians, was named after
the gulch where William and Dan Carsner found large nuggets of gold embedded in
the coarse sands. Water for mining was brought from the middle fork of the
Mokelumne River through Sandy Gulch and Kadish Ditches - quartz mining began in
the early 1850s, and the first custom stamp mill in the district was located at
the head of Sandy Gulch. School and election precincts were established early,
and one of California's many Hangman's Trees stood near the center of town. Location: On State Hwy 26 (P.M. 32.3), 2.1 mi W of West Point USGS Quadrangle Sheet Name: WEST POINT
NO. 254 CAMANCHE - Once called Limerick, the town became Camanche (after
Camanche, Iowa) in 1849. Rich mining at nearby Cat Camp, Poverty Bar, and Sand
Hill brought its population to a peak of 1,500. Mokelumne River water was
brought in by Lancha Plana and Poverty Bar Ditch. A fire on June 21, 1873
destroyed Camanche's large Chinatown. Buhach, an insect powder made from a
plant, was manufactured on the nearby Hill Ranch. Camanche is now inundated by
Camanche Reservoir. Location: South Camanche Shore Park, picnic area near south entrance, Camanche
Parkway South, 3.0 mi NW of Burson
NO. 255 CALAVERITAS - Calaveritas, settled in 1849 by Mexicans, was a
flourishing mining town complete with stores, saloons, gambling houses, and
fandango halls, the latter two said to be frequented by Joaquin Murieta. The
town was destroyed by fire in 1858. Location: On CaIaveras Rd at Costa Rd, 4.5 mi SE of San Andreas
NO. 256 I.O.O.F. HALL, MOKELUMNE HILL - This is said to be California's first
three-story building to be erected outside the coastal towns. The original
building was erected in 1854 as a two-story building - a third story to be used
for lodge purposes was added later. Location: NE corner of Main and Center Sts, Mokelumne USGS Quadrangle Sheet Name: MOKELUMNE HILL
NO. 257 CAMPO SECO - Campo Seco was settled in 1849 by Mexicans who worked
placers in Oregon Gulch. The largest living cork oak tree in California was
planted here in 1858. The iron doors of the ruined Adams Express Building were
still standing in 1950. Location: Intersection of Campo Seco and Penn Mine Rds, Campo Seco USGS Quadrangle Sheet Name: VALLEY SPRINGS
NO. 258 FOURTH CROSSING - Located on the Stockton-Murphys Road at a crossing of
the Calaveras River, this early mining settlement, once called Foremans, was
famous in the 1850s for its rich placer ores. Later, as an important stage and
freighting depot, it served the southern mines until after the turn of the
century. Location: On State Hwy 49 (P.M. 14.0) at San Antonio Creek, 5 mi S of San
Andreas
NO. 261 CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH - The Congregational Church in Mokelumne Hill was
organized August 28, 1853. The church building, erected in 1856, is the oldest
Congregational Church building in the state. Location: NE corner of Main and Church Sts, Mokelumne Hill USGS Quadrangle Sheet Name: MOKELUMNE HILL
NO. 262 MILTON - Completion of the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1871 marked the
birth of the town of Milton. Named after Milton Latham, one of the railroad
construction engineers, this town was the first in Calaveras County to have a
railroad. Freight and passengers continued their journeys to other parts of
Calaveras County by wagon and stagecoach. Location: 15 mi NW of Copperopolis via Rock Creek Rd, County Road J14, and
Milton USGS Quadrangle Sheet Name: VALLEY SPRINGS
NO. 263 STONE CORRAL - Stone Corral, consisting of a hotel, barns, and the large
corrals for which it was named, was one of the stopping places on the road from
the mines to Stockton. Location: Stone Corral Ranch, on State Hwy 26 (P.M. 0.8), 9.5 mi SW of Valley
Springs
NO. 264 DOUBLE SPRINGS - Founded February 18, 1850, Double Springs was once the
seat of Calaveras County. The old courthouse, said to be constructed of lumber
brought from China, is still standing, but not on its original site. Location: On Double Springs Rd, 3.6 mi E of Valley Springs USGS Quadrangle Sheet Name: VALLEY SPRINGS
NO. 265 CHILI GULCH - This five-mile gulch was the richest placer mining section
in Calaveras County. It received its name from Chileans who worked it in 1848
and 1849, and was the scene of the so-called Chilean War. The largest known
quartz crystals were recovered from a mine on the south side of the gulch. Location: On State Hwy 49 (P.M. 26.4), 1.4 mi S of Mokelumne Hill
NO. 266 JENNY LIND - Jenny Lind, located on the north bank of the Calaveras
River, was a placer mining town as early as 1849. Most of the placer mining was
done along the hillsides above the river - later the river was mined with
dredgers. In 1864 the population was said to be 400, half of them Chinese. Location: On Milton Rd, County Road J1 4, 8 mi SW of Valley Springs USGS Quadrangle Sheet Name: VALLEY SPRINGS
NO. 267 MITCHLER HOTEL - This is one of the oldest hotels still operating in
California. First called the Sperry and Perry Hotel, it was opened by James L.
Sperry and John Perry on August 20, 1856. Henry Atwood was its proprietor in
1881 - later, ownership passed to Harvey Blood. Renamed the Mitchler Hotel in
1882, and the Murphys Hotel in 1945 by the McKimins family, it was bought by a
College of the Pacific group in 1963. Location: 457 Main at Algiers St, Murphys USGS Quadrangle Sheet Name: MURPHYS
NO. 268 WEST POINT - West Point was named by scout Kit Carson, who was searching
for a pass over the Sierra. One emigrant road forked by Big Meadows - its north
branch came directly to West Point, which was a thriving trading post prior to
the gold discovery. Bret Harte, famous author, lived here for a time. Location: Intersection of State Hwy 26 (P.M. 34.4) and Main St, West Point
NO. 269 MOKELUMNE HILL - Mokelumne is an Indian word, first applied to the
nearby river. Earliest settlement was at Happy Valley by French trappers. Gold
was discovered by discharged members of Stevenson's Regiment in 1848. Mokelumne
Hill was the center of the richest placer mining section of Calaveras County and
one of the principal mining towns of California. Corral Flat produced over
thirty millions in gold. Sixteen feet square constituted a claim. The so-called
'French War' for possession of gold mines occurred in 1851. 'Calaveras
Chronicle' was established in 1850. Fights between grizzly bears and bulls
amused early residents. The town was destroyed by fires in 1854, 1864, and 1874.
County seat of Calaveras County from 1853 to 1866. Location: SW corner of Main and Center Sts, Mokelumne Hill
NO. 271 PIONEER CEMETERY - This pioneer cemetery was said to have been
established in 1851. Most of the graves are unmarked - stones appeared over only
three of them in 1936. This cemetery is located almost opposite where the town
of North Branch originally stood, before the site was mined for gold. Location: On State Hwy 12 (P.M. 176), 0.7 mi W of junction with State Hwy 49,
1.8 mi W of San Andreas USGS Quadrangle Sheet Name: SAN ANDREAS
NO. 272 DOUGLAS FLAT - Douglas Flat was a roaring mining camp of the early
1850s. In 1857 the Harper and Lone Star Claims produced $130,000 worth of gold.
The so-called Central Hill Channel, an ancient river deposit from which vast
quantities of gold have been taken, is located here. Location: On State Hwy 4 (P.M. 275), Douglas Flat
NO. 273 VALLECITO - This mining camp of the early 1850s was almost totally
destroyed by fire on August 28, 1859. Nearby is Moaning Cave, which the Indians
used as a burial ground. Location: On State Hwy 4 (P.M. 25.6), Vallecito
NO. 274 CARSON HILL - Gold was discovered in the creek just below here in 1848
by James H. Carson, whose name was given to the creek, hill, and town. In
November 1854 the largest gold nugget in California, weighing 195 pounds troy,
was found. It was worth $43,000 at that time. Location: On State Hwy 4 (P.M. 3.3), 3.7 mi S of Angels Camp on Hwy 49
NO. 275 MURPHYS - One of the principal mining communities in Calaveras County,
Murphys was named for the discoverer of gold on the flat in 1849. The objective
of many immigrants coming over the Sierras by Ebbetts Pass, Murphys Flat and
surrounding mines produced 20,000,000 dollars in gold. Early regulations
restricted claims to 8 ft. square. A suspension flume conveying water across
Murphys Creek and drainage race draining the flat were two outstanding
accomplishments of early day miners. The business portion of town was destroyed
by fire August 20, 1859. Joaquin Murieta bandit, is said to have begun his
murderous career here. Calaveras Light Guards recruiting for Civil War,
organized here on May 4, 1861. Location: Intersection of Main and Jones Sts, Murphys
NO. 276 ROBINSON'S FERRY - In 1848 John W. Robinson and Stephen Mead established
ferry transport for freight, animals and persons across river. In 1856 Harvey
Wood purchased interest and later acquired property which was maintained by Wood
Family until 1911. Charges were 50 cents for each passenger, horse, jenny or
other animal. Location: Vista point on State Hwy 49 (P.M. 0.6), 5.4 mi S of Angels Camp
NO. 280 GLENCOE (MOSQUITO GULCH) - Glencoe was formerly called Mosquito Gulch.
The business portion of the town was on the north side of Mosquito Gulch, but
not one of the old buildings remains. The mines were first worked by the
Mexicans in the early 1850s - quartz mining predominated but there was some
placer mining. Location: On State Hwy 26 (P.M. 26.2), Glencoe
NO. 281 O'BYRNE FERRY - In 1852 a chain cable bridge replaced the ferries that
once crossed here, to be supplanted in its turn by a covered truss structure in
1862. Some writers claimed this was the locale of Bret Harte's Poker Flat. In
late '49 there was a large camp here, with miners washing gold out on both banks
of the Stanislaus River. Location: On County Hwy 48 (P.M. 0.3), O'Byrne Ferry Rd, 71 mi SE of
Copperopolis
NO. 282 EL DORADO - Patented as a townsite in 1872, this early town derived its
name from a sawmill located here. Mountain Ranch, the post office established in
1856, was moved to El Dorado in 1868, so El Dorado became known as Mountain
Ranch. The bell was used in the local school from 1885 to 1953. Established as
Cave City School District in 1855, this school joined with the Banner District
in 1946 to become the El Dorado Union Elementary School District. Location: NW corner of Mountain Ranch Rd and Whiskey Slide Rd, Mountain Ranch
NO. 284 JESUS MARIA - The town, center of a large placer mining section, was
named for a Mexican who raised vegetables and melons for the miners. It was
settled in the early 1850s with a large population of Mexicans, French,
Chileans, and Italians. Location: On Jesus Maria Rd, County Road 27 (P.M. 10.2), 4.9 mi SE of Mokelumne
Hill
NO. 286 RAIL ROAD FLAT - This historic mining town, elevation 2,600 feet, was
named after primitive mule-drawn ore cars used here. It was the site of an
Indian council as well as the center of rich placer and quartz mining. Its
largest producer was the Petticoat Mine. The post office was established in
1857, and the Edwin Taylor store built in 1867. The town's population was
decimated in 1880 by black fever. Location: NE of intersection of Rail Road (County Road 13) and Summit Level Rds,
0.5 mi W of post office, Rail Road Flat
NO. 287 ANGELS CAMP - Founded in 1849 by George Angel, who established a mining
camp and trading store 200 feet below this marker, this was in a rich gravel
mining area that was also one of the richest quartz mining sections of the
Mother Lode-production records reached over $100 million for Angels Camp and
vicinity. Prominent in early-day California history, it was said to be
frequented by Joaquin Murieta, Black Bart, and other early-day bandits, and was
the locale of Mark Twain's famous story, The Jumping Frog of Calaveras County. Location: NE corner of Main St and Birds Way, Angels Camp
NO. 288 ALTAVILLE - The history of Altaville is closely identified with that of
Angels Camp. Altaville has been the foundry town of Calaveras County since D. D.
Demerest established a foundry there in 1854. Most of the stamp mills and a
large part of the mining machinery erected in Calaveras and Tuolumne Counties
were built at the Altaville Foundry. A brick schoolhouse was built at Altaville
in 1858 and the townsite was established in 1873. Location: Intersection of State Hwys 49 and 4, Altaville
NO. 295 PALOMA - Gwin Mine, Paloma, and Lower Rich Gulch were mined for placer
gold in 1849, and quartz was discovered by J. Alexander in 1851. Property here
was acquired by Wm. M. Gwin, California's first U.S. Senator, in 1851. After
yielding millions of dollars in gold, the Gwin Mine closed in 1908. Location: Intersection of Paloma Rd and Edster St, 5 mi SW of Mokelumne Hill
NO. 296 COPPEROPOLIS - W. K. Reed and Thomas McCarty discovered copper here in
1860. The mines were utilized during the Civil War, when they were the principal
copper producing section of the United States, and World Wars I and II. Location: State Dept of Forestry Station, 375 Main St, Copperopolis
NO. 370 VALLECITO BELL MONUMENT - Named 'Little Valley' by Mexicans, Vallecito
was one of California's important early-day mining towns. Gold was discovered
here by the Murphy brothers in 1849, and it was originally called 'Murphy's old
diggings.' This bell, cast at Troy, New York in 1853, was brought around the
horn. It was purchased from the ship with funds contributed by early-day
residents and brought to Vallecito to be erected in a large oak tree in 1854. It
was used to call the people together until February 16, 1939, when a severe wind
blew the old tree down. Location: Intersection of Church St and Cemetery Ln, Vallecito
NO. 465 OLD MINING CAMP OF BROWNSVILLE - A thriving mining camp on rich
Pennsylvania Gulch in the 1850s and 1860s, the camp was named for Alfred Brown,
former owner of Table Mountain Ranch. Laws of the Brownsville mining district
provided that each miner could own one wet and one dry claim, not to exceed 150
square feet each. Location: On Pennsylvania Gulch Rd, 0.9 mi SW of Murphys
NO. 466 THE PETER L. TRAVER BUILDING - Constructed by Peter L. Traver in 1856,
this is the oldest stone building in Murphys. Its iron shutters and sand on the
roof protected it from the fires of 1859, 1874, and 1893. It served as a general
store, a Wells Fargo office, and later a garage. Location: 470 Main St, Murphys USGS Quadrangle Sheet Name: MURPHYS
NO. 499 RED BRICK GRAMMAR SCHOOL - This brick building, erected in 1848 with
funds raised by a dance in the Billiard Saloon of the N.R. Prince Building
(which still stands, 1955) is one of the oldest schools of California. It was in
use until 1950, when it was replaced by the Mark Twain Elementary School in Altaville. Location: Division of Forestry Station, 125 N Main St, Altaville USGS Quadrangle Sheet Name: ANGLES CAMP
NO. 663 COURTHOUSE OF CALAVERAS COUNTY, 1852-1866, AND LEGER HOTEL - A portion
of this building served as the Calaveras County Courthouse from 1852 to 1866,
when the county seat was removed to San Andreas. George W. Leger then acquired
the court building and made it a part of his adjoining hotel, which has been in
operation since early gold mining days - it was known as the Grand Hotel in 1874
when fire damaged it and destroyed its dance hall. Restored in 1879, it has
since been known as the Leger Hotel. Location: SE corner of Main and Lafayette Sts, Mokelumne Hill USGS Quadrangle Sheet Name: MOKELUMNE HILL
NO. 734 ANGELS HOTEL - The canvas hotel that C. C. Lake erected here in 1851 was
replaced by a one-story wooden structure, and then in 1855 by one of stone - a
second story was added in 1857. It was here that Samuel Clemens first heard the
yarn that was later to bring him fame as Mark Twain, author of The Jumping Frog
of Calaveras County. Location: NE corner of Main St and Bird Way, Angels Camp USGS Quadrangle Sheet Name: ANGLES CAMP Listed on the National Register of Historic Places: NPS-72000220
NO. 735 PRINCE-GARIBARDI BUILDING - This structure was erected in 1852 by B. R.
Prince and G. Garibardi for a general merchandise business. Improved in 1857
with living quarters on the second floor, it is still used for living and
warehouse purposes. Location: 298 S Main St, near Hwy 4 junction, Altaville USGS Quadrangle Sheet Name: ANGLES CAMP
NO. 769 BIRTHPLACE OF ARCHIE STEVENOT - The Stevenot family established the
borax industry in California - Archie Stevenot was proclaimed 'Mr. Mother Lode'
by resolution of the 1961 session of the State Legislature. Not only he but his
father and grandfather lent fame to the Carson Hill region of California. Location: On State Hwy 4 (P.M. 3.3), 3.7 mi S of Angels Camp
NO. 956 CALIFORNIA CAVERNS AT CAVE CITY - The historical significance of
California Caverns is well established as a major cavern system and as one of
the earliest officially recorded caves (1850) in the Mother Lode region of
California. The early commercial enterprise associated with California Caverns
is evidenced by the historical documents verifying organized tourist activities
as early as 1854. Although one of numerous caves in the Mother Lode region,
California Caverns claims the distinction of having the most extensive system of
caverns and passageways. Location: Cave City Rd, approx 4 mi from Mountain Ranch Rd via Michel Rd, 11 mi
E of Hwy 49 in San Andreas USGS Quadrangle Sheet Name: STOCKTON WEST