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| Add Photo — Add Link — Add Commentary — Correct this page — Print | | Volcano in Amador County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal) |
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Volcano
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By Syd Whittle, January 23, 2006 | |
| | | 1. Volcano Marker | | This large plaque was originally placed in the town of Pine Grove 4 miles south. The smaller marker explains the reason. | | |
Inscription. [Larger Marker]:
Started 1848 by soldiers of Colonel Stevenson’s Regiment. Named by miners because of apparent volcanic appearance. Here the first California rental library, 1850, was established. And one of the first “Little Theaters” founded by the “Volcano Thespian Society”, 1854
Interesting Civil War History.
[Smaller Marker]:
Volcano - Right Here!
1934 plaque placed in Pine Grove as "obituary" when planned dam would flood Volcano. Geology & water rights negated plan. So Volcano didn't drown
NOT BY A DAM SITE!
Dedicated July 5, 1980, Volcano Business & Professional Association, James W. Marshall Chapter 49, E. Clampus Vitus, Upcountry 88 Lions
Erected by Department of Public Works – Division of Highways. (Marker Number 29.)
Marker series. This marker is included in the E Clampus Vitus marker series.
Location. 38° 26.556′ N, 120° 37.882′ W. Marker is in Volcano, California, in Amador County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street and Consolation Street, on the right when traveling north on Main Street. Click for map. Marker is in this post office area: Volcano CA 95689, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. | | | | 
By Syd Whittle, January 23, 2006 | |
| | | 2. Smaller marker under the main marker | | |
At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Soldier Gulch (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Volcano (here, next to this marker); Astronomical Observatory (a few steps from this marker); Union Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); General Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Moose Milk (about 400 feet away, in a direct line); St. George Hotel (about 400 feet away); Volcano Masonic Cave (approx. 0.2 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Volcano.
Regarding Volcano. This site is a California Registered Historical Landmark (No. 29).
California Historical Landmark description: The spot was discovered in 1848 by Colonel Stevenson's men, who mined Soldiers Gulch in 1849. By 1853 the flats and gulches swarmed with men who named them picturesquely. Hydraulic operations, begun in 1855, brought thousands of fortune seekers to form a town of 17 hotels, a library, a theater, and courts of quick justice. During the Civil War, Volcano's gold served the Union - Volcano Blues smuggled the cannon 'Old Abe' in by hearse to quell rebels.
Also see . . .
1. Ghost Towns - Volcano. (Submitted on September 7, 2008, by Syd Whittle of El Dorado Hills, California.)
2. The Virtual California Gold Country - Volcano. (Submitted on September 12, 2008.)
3. Wikipedia Account - Volcano. This has interesting facts regarding the cannon "Old Abe" (Submitted on September 7, 2008, by Syd Whittle of El Dorado Hills, California.)
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By Syd Whittle, January 23, 2006 | |
| | | 3. Volcano Marker | | |
Additional comments.
1. Steam Fire Truck
In the late 1870s King Pomare, the King of Tahiti
commissioned a Fire Truck to be built in San Francisco - Tahiti's first Fire Truck.
At that time there was shipping trade between Tahiti and San Francisco.
Before the Fire Truck was finished King Pomare died.
The new French Government did not have the funds to pay for the Fire Truck to be shipped to Tahiti.
Somehow it ended up in Volcano, Calif.
Have heard at one time there were scenes of Tahiti painted on the Fire Truck.
Joy Mau, Tahiti — Submitted September 22, 2009. |
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By Syd Whittle | |
| | | 4. Volcano Markers | | Also here are the Volcano Marker from Amador County Historical Society and the Soldier Gulch marker. | | |
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By Syd Whittle, January 23, 2006 | |
| | | 5. Town Building - Adams Express Company | | Built in 1854, first served as the Johnson and Ross Volcano News Depot, and then became the Adams Express building in 1856. After that it was the D.S. Boydston Drug Store. From 1871 to 1905, Sing Kee and his wife sold herbs, opium, and general merchandise there. | | |
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By Syd Whittle, January 23, 2006 | |
| | | 6. Ruins of the old Wells Fargo building | | |
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L.E. Lindholm, Published by Commercial Printers, Stockton, Ca. | |
| | | 7. Vintage Postcard of Main Street | The postcard includes this description:
Scene of unsuccessful coup by Southern sympathizers to take Volcano for the Confederacy, 1863. Buildings shown include Assay Office, built 1870; Jug & Rose temperance house; General Store (continuous operation since 1850); old Cigar Emporium (now art gallery); St. George Hotel, built 1863 | | |
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By Syd Whittle, January 23, 2006 | |
| | | 9. "Old Abe" | Sign on building that houses "Old Abe" reads:
Union Square: Named to commemorate an event during Civil War days when the Unionist "Volcano Blues" confronted the Confederate "Knights of the Golden Circle" on this spot. With the help of the cannon, "Old Abe" the "Blues" effected a decisive victory over the "Knights."
P.S. The story goes that the enthusiastic "Blues" had overcharged the weapon. It would have exploded had it actually been fired. | | |
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June 28, 2008 | |
| | | 10. Hydraulic Mining Monitor (Nozzle), circa 1854 | | This (assuming the date is correct on the accompanying plaque) is a very early example of a hydraulic mining monitor, used in the Elephant hydraulic mine, about one mile north of Volcano. The monitor was used to direct a stream of water under very high pressure to literally dissolve the earth to wash out gold bearing ores. The monitor now stands about 100 feet to the north of the Volcano historical marker. | | |
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June 28, 2008 | |
| | | 11. Volcano - Old Jail , circa 1871 | | Constructed of iron boilerplate between wood inner and outer walls. Local legend has it that the first two inmates were the men who built it. The jail is located approximately 200 feet north of the Volcano historical marker. | | |
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June 28, 2008 | |
| | | 12. Volcano - Masonic Lodge, circa 1854 | | Originally was the office of the Volcano Weekly Ledger. In 1860 the building became jointly owned by the Oddfellows and the Masons. The building is located some 200 feet north of the Volcano historical marker (opposite the old jail) and is still used as a Masonic Lodge. | | |
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By Roger Sturtevant, Photographer, April 6, 1934 | |
| | | 13. I.O.O.F and Masonic Lodge | View From South-West
Historic American Buildings Survey - Library of Congress
Click for more information. | | |
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June 28, 2008 | |
| | | 14. Starr King Bell, ca. 1863 | | According to the accompanying plaque, "The bell was donated to Volcano by Unitarian preacher Thomas Starr King, who was grateful to the town for its support of the Union and the election of Abraham Lincoln. The bell was originally located at the Methodist Cemetery. The bell is Vickers cast steel and was manufactured in Sheffield, England". The bell is located roughly 400 feet east of the Volcano historical marker. | | |
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January 31, 2009 | |
| | | 15. Volcano - Assay Office | | Constructed in 1871. The former assay office now houses a gift shop. Located on Main Street less
than 100 feet from the Volcano marker. | | |
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January 31, 2009 | |
| | | 16. Volcano - Post Office and Telephone Exchange | | Constructed in the 1930's of terra cotta tile and in operation until the 1960's, when it became a private residence. The sharp-eyed observer will note a Superman poster within the phone booth, reading "Please do not vandalize this phone booth. I have no place else to change clothes. - Superman" Building is located on Main Street, just to the north of the Whiskey Flat Saloon. | | |
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January 31, 2009 | |
| | | 17. Volcano Schoolhouse | | In use for over a century, from 1855-1956. Now a private residence. Located at the corner of Plug Street and National Street, about a five minute walk from the Volcano Marker. | | |
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January 31, 2009 | |
| | | 18. St. Bernard's Catholic Church (at the intersection of Plug Street and Emigrant Road) | | Built in 1908 to replace St. Bridget's Church, which was located at the Volcano Catholic Cemetery. St. Bridget's was destroyed by fire in 1868. | | |
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January 31, 2009 | |
| | | 19. Volcano - Bavarian Brewery | | Constructed in 1856. Last of the 3 breweries in Volcano. Operated by the Jacob Stolken family and later by Peter Seible. Now a private residence. Located on Consolation Street, less than 200 feet from the Volcano marker. | | |
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By Brian Smith | |
| | | 20. Volcano Road Directional Sign | This sign is part of the personal road sign collection of Brian Smith. He also contributed the following information:
Erected by the California Division of Highways in 1951 and is the second generation sign. The state took over signing state highways from the auto clubs in 1948 and introduced a new sign which is in the shape and format of the bronze tablet used by the state at historical sites.
Click for more information. | | |
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Credits. This page originally submitted on September 7, 2008, by Syd Whittle of El Dorado Hills, California. This page has been viewed 1,348 times since then. Last updated on September 10, 2008. This page was the Marker of the Week April 12, 2009. Photos: 1, 2, 3. Submitted on September 7, 2008, by Syd Whittle of El Dorado Hills, California. 4. Submitted on September 11, 2008, by Syd Whittle of El Dorado Hills, California. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. Submitted on September 7, 2008, by Syd Whittle of El Dorado Hills, California. 10, 11, 12. Submitted on September 10, 2008. 13. Submitted on April 4, 2009, by Syd Whittle of El Dorado Hills, California. 14. Submitted on October 28, 2008. 15, 16, 17, 18, 19. Submitted on February 2, 2009. 20. Submitted on June 8, 2009, by Syd Whittle of El Dorado Hills, California. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photograph of the old steam fire truck in Volcano. • Can you help? | | Add Photo — Add Link — Add Commentary — Correct this page — Print |
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