| California (Nevada County), Grass Valley — Historic Emmanuel Episcopal Church |
| | Oldest Episcopal Edifice in California
First services Sunday April 23, 1854 by Rt. Rev. William I. Kip, Bishop of Calif.
This building opened for worship Aug. 1858. — Map (db m10827) |
| California (Nevada County), Grass Valley — 292 — Lola Montez 1819 - 1861 — Countess of Landsfeld |
| | In her home which occupied this site, Lola’s Social Salon 1853 – 55 attracted men of vision whose investments and technology founded Nevada County’s gold quartz mining industry. She brought culture and refinement to this rude mining camp. A mistress of international intrigue and a feminist before her time she is one of history’s most recognizable women and a founder of today’s cosmetic industry. — Map (db m11033) |
| California (Nevada County), Grass Valley — Lyman Gilmore, Jr. — 1874 – 1951 |
| | Lyman Gilmore, Jr. established the first commercial airport on this site in 1907. To him and his memory the people of this community dedicate this school as the:
LYMAN GILMORE SCHOOL
Grass Valley School District
Board of Trustees
Brian A. Bennallack-President * Dr. Robert L. Ross, Jr.-Clerk,* Harrel W. Ammon Mrs. Lou Kennedy * Jack Montre
Vernon C. Bond – Superintendent
George C. Higgins and Associates – Architect
Joe W. Ruess – Landscape Architect
Dorville, Galling . . . — Map (db m13289) |
| California (Nevada County), Grass Valley — 855 — Mount Saint Mary’s Convent and Academy |
| | Built by the Reverend Thomas J. Dalton and dedicated May 2, 1865 by Bishop Eugene O’Connell as Sacred Heart Convent and Holy Angels Orphanage. Under the Sisters of Mercy it served from 1866 to 1932 as the first orphanage of the Northern Mines. It functioned as an Academy (1868 – 1965) and a convent (1866 – 1968). — Map (db m12898) |
| California (Nevada County), Grass Valley — 799 — Overland Emigrant Trail |
| | At this point the Old Overland Trail approaches the present highway. More than a hundred years ago the trail resounded to creaking wheels of pioneer wagons and the cries of hardy but footsore travelers buoyed by the realization their long trip to the gold fields was about over. — Map (db m10546) |
| California (Nevada County), Grass Valley — St. Patrick’s Cemetery — 1853 |
| | IN MEMORY OF THE PIONEERS BURIED HERE — Map (db m12900) |
| California (Nevada County), Grass Valley — 914 — The Holbrooke Hotel |
| | The present bar of the hotel has been in continuous operation since 1852, when it was known as the Golden Gate Saloon. The wooden building had a back extension known as the Exchange Hotel and offered food and lodging by January 1853. The saloon was destroyed in the fire of 1855 and was rebuilt out of fieldstone with a brick front. The Holbrooke, built 1862 had the adjacent Golden Gate Saloon incorporated in the hotel building.
California Registered Landmark No. 914.
Plaque placed by the . . . — Map (db m8544) |
| California (Nevada County), Nevada City — American Hill Diggings |
| | On this site in April 1853 Edward E. Matteson developed one of the first hydraulic mines. An operation in which gold was washed from great quantities of earth with high pressure streams of water.
The method used here became a standard of the mining industry through out the world.
Dedicated October 2, 1976,
Wm. Bull Meek–Wm. Morris Stewart No. 10, E Clampus Vitus.
The hydraulic monitor, pipe & gate valve displayed here was installed by Native Sons of the Golden West, . . . — Map (db m891) |
| California (Nevada County), Nevada City — English and New Salmon Mine Stamp Mill |
| | This stamp mill was manufactured at the Miners Foundry and Supply Co., Nevada City, California in the late 1800’s. After a circuitous journey, it has returned to its place of crushing hard rock at the English Mine and then the New Salmon Mine, owned by Donald McPherson, at Badger Hill. The stamp mill ceased operation in 1942 when all non-critical gold mines were shut down. After sitting idle through the years overgrown by trees and brush the stamp mill was moved in the 1970’s to the Nevada City . . . — Map (db m12862) |
| California (Nevada County), Nevada City — Giant |
| | This monitor was used at the now closed La Grange Mine near Weaverville in Trinity County and is similar in size to those used at the Malakoff to wash down the gravel hillsides.
It was obtained through a joint effort of E Clampus Vitus, Trinitarianus Chapter, Weaverville, and Wm. Bull Meek-Wm. Morris Stewart Chapter, Nevada City. — Map (db m861) |
| California (Nevada County), Nevada City — 001 — Julius Albert Apperson — Born June 1855 - Died May 6, 1858 |
| | A pioneer who crossed the plains to California who died and was buried here. The Emigrant Trail followed along this ridge and through Nevada City. The marking of this lone grave perpetuates the memory of the lone graves throughout the State of California.
Nevada County Historical Landmark 001
Placed by the Grand Parlor
Native Sons of the Golden West
David S. Mason III, Grand President
October 10, 1971
In memory of Sen. James D. Phelan — Map (db m971) |
| California (Nevada County), Nevada City — Malakoff Diggins Clampicnic Area |
| | This picnic area, sponsored by Wm. Bull Meek-Wm. Morris Steward Chapter Number 10, E Clampus Vitus, is for the enjoyment of all. The redwood lumber for the tables came from Nevada City's Christmas Tree, a Sequoiadendron Giganteum and continues to serve the residents and visitors of Nevada County.
Dedicated October 1, 1966 — Map (db m857) |
| California (Nevada County), Nevada City — Miners Foundry – Allans Machine Shop — Founded 1856 |
| | This original brick building in continuous usage as a foundry for over 110 years. Famous Pelton Waterwheel developed and manufactured here in 1878. Ingenious double-cupped bucket designed by Lester A. Pelton of Camptonville and Nevada City. It became the basis for Hydro-electric turbin generators throughout the world. — Map (db m12863) |
| California (Nevada County), Nevada City — 863 — Nevada Theater |
| | California’s oldest existing theater building. The Nevada opened September 9, 1865. Celebrities such as Mark Twain, Jack London and Emma Nevada have appeared on its stage. Closed in 1957. The theater was later purchased through public donations and reopened May 17, 1968, to again serve the cultural needs of the community. — Map (db m10828) |
| California (Nevada County), Nevada City — 1012 — Pelton Wheel Manufacturing Site |
| | The Pelton Water Wheel, first commercially manufactured here at George Allan’s Foundry & Machine Works in 1879, was a major advancement in water power utilization and greatly advanced hard-rock mining. Its unique feature was a series of paired buckets, shaped like bowls of spoons and separated by a splitter, that divided the incoming water jets into two parts. By the late 1800, Pelton Wheels were providing energy to operate industrial machinery throughout the world. In 1888, Lester Pelton moved . . . — Map (db m12796) |
| California (Nevada County), Nevada City — Pennsylvania Engine Co. No. 2 — January 14, 1861 |
| | Fire Company formed June 18, 1860 as Eureka Hose No.2 with 34 volunteers. Name changed in August of that year to ‘Pennsylvania Engine’. Construction money raised in 1859 by popular subscription and a grand ball staged by the town’s women. This firehouse has been in continuous use since 1861. — Map (db m10832) |
| California (Nevada County), Nevada City — Pioneer Cemetery |
| | This cemetery was established in 1851 on a knoll, back of the First Methodist Church. This gave the site its name. Many noted citizens rest here. — Map (db m11677) |
| California (Nevada County), Nevada City — Powell Home |
| | Built in 1855 as the edifice of the Baptist Church, it was here that famed soprano Emma Nevada (Emma Wixom Palmer) made her debut at the age of three. In 1886 the church was remodeled as the residence of the E.T.R. Powell family — Map (db m14824) |
| California (Nevada County), Nevada City — 832 — South Yuba Canal Office |
| | Headquarters for the largest network of water flumes and ditches in the state. The South Yuba Canal Water Company was the first incorporated to supply water for hydraulic mining. The original ditch was in use in May, 1850, and this company office was in use from 1857 to 1880. The holdings later became part of the vast P.G. & E. hydroelectric system. — Map (db m10836) |
| California (Nevada County), Nevada City — 899 — The National Hotel |
| | This hotel, one of the oldest in continuous operation west of the Rockies, opened for business in August, 1856. Originally known as The “Bicknell Block”. The structure consists of three common-walled buildings of simple brick construction embellished with classic revival and wrought iron railing ornamentation. — Map (db m12891) |
| California (Nevada County), North Bloomfield — 852 — North Bloomfield Mining and Gravel Company |
| | This was a major hydraulic operation in California. Its vast system of canals and flumes using a drainage tunnel 7800 feet long was termed a feat of engineering skill. It was the principal defendant in an anti-debris lawsuit settled by the Sawyer decision in 1884. Judge Lorenzo Sawyer’s famous decision created control that virtually ended hydraulic mining in California. — Map (db m8505) |
| California (Nevada County), Penn Valley — 390 — Bridgeport (Nyes Crossing) Covered Bridge |
| | Built in 1862 by David Isaac John Wood with lumber from his mill in Sierra County, this bridge was part of the Virginia Turnpike Company toll road which served the northern mines and the busy Nevada Comstock Lode. Utilizing a combination truss and arch construction, it is one of the oldest housed spans in the west and the longest single-span wood-covered bridge in the United States.
California Registered Historical Landmark No. 390
Plaque placed by the California State Park Commission in . . . — Map (db m8540) |
| California (Nevada County), Penn Valley — Bridgeport Bridge |
| | This covered bridge across the South Fork of the Yuba River at Bridgeport, Nevada Co., Calif. was built by David I. Wood in 1862 with lumber from his mill in Plum Valley, Sierra Co., Calif. Erected by Columbia Parlor No. 70, N.D.G.W., French Corral, Calif. October 17, 1948. — Map (db m8528) |
| California (Nevada County), Penn Valley — Bridgeport Bridge — "Wood’s Crossing" |
| | Bridgeport Bridge, or “Wood’s Crossing”, is the longest single span covered bridge in existence. Used since 1862, built by David I. Wood. This plaque is dedicated to those pioneer Americans who came to California in search of a new life and passed this way to establish their homes in the Northern Mine Country. — Map (db m8539) |
| California (Nevada County), Rough and Ready — Fippin's Blacksmith Shop |
| | Built in the mid 1850’s by John Fippin and John Single. Fippin married Single’s daughter, Julia, in 1867, and they raised 10 children. Local legend has it that one of Lotta Crabtree’s earliest performances was atop the anvil here. The building today is a combination of the original blacksmith shop and Single’s carpenter shop. W.H. (Bill) Fippin and Frank A. Fippin followed their father as smiths and ran the business until well into the 20th century. Members of the Fippin and Single families . . . — Map (db m10561) |
| California (Nevada County), Rough and Ready — Republic of Rough and Ready — April 1850 - July 1850 |
| | This community of 3000 people seceeded from the Union to declare a free and independant state. Colonel E.F. Brundage was elected President. Congressional action on California statehood was pending at the time. — Map (db m10562) |
| California (Nevada County), Rough and Ready — 294 — Rough and Ready |
| | Established in 1849 and named in honor of General Zachary Taylor, after the Rough and Ready Company of miners from Wisconsin, this was one of the principal towns of Nevada County. In 1850, articles of secession were drawn up establishing the 'Republic of Rough and Ready.' As a result of disastrous fires, only a few structures remain today that were built in the 1850s. — Map (db m10560) |
| California (Nevada County), Truckee — China Wall of the Sierra |
| | Charles Crocker, Construction Chief of the Central Pacific Railroad (CPRR), contracted for a workforce of approximately 12,000 Chinese laborers to push the CPRR tracks over its Trans-Sierra Crossing on its race east to a meet with the Union Pacific at Promontory, Utah Territory. A railroad retaining wall and fill, constructed of Sierra granite, stand silently above on the pass as a lasting monument to the Asian “Master Builders” who left an indelible mark on the history of California and the West. — Map (db m23564) |
| California (Nevada County), Truckee — Donner Party |
| | Near this spot stood the Breen cabin of the party of emigrants who started for California from Springfield, Illinois, in April 1846, under the leadership of Captain George Donner. Delays occurred and when the party reached this locality, on October 29, the Truckee Pass Emigrant Road was concealed by snow. The height of the shaft of the monument indicates the depth of the snow, which was twenty-two feet. After futile efforts to cross the summit the party was compelled to encamp for the winter. . . . — Map (db m11594) |
| California (Nevada County), Truckee — Donner Party — 1846 – 1847 |
| | The face of this rock formed the north end and the fireplace of the Murphy cabin. General Stephan W. Kearny, on June 22, 1847, buried, under the middle of the cabin the bodies found in the vicinity. Following is a complete list of the members of the Donner Party who occupied the various cabins and tents.
Column 1 – Deceased:
George Donner, Tamsen Donner, Jacob Donner, Elizabeth Donner, Isaac Donner, Lewis Donner, Samuel Donner, Sarah Keyes, Luke Halloran, John Snyder, Mr. . . . — Map (db m11600) |
| California (Nevada County), Truckee — Donner Pass — Who Passed This Way |
| | For thousands of years, people have crossed the Sierra Nevada near this place called Donner Pass.
Traveling by foot, wagon, train or automobile, the journey has always been challenging.
By Foot
Long before it’s “discovery” by Euro-Americans, this 7,000 foot pass was used as a travel corridor by Native Americans.
The Washoe Indians trekked through the area, from their Great Basin home enroute to the foothills of California, to gather acorns and to trade. They . . . — Map (db m23571) |
| California (Nevada County), Truckee — Rocking Stone |
| | A natural glacier formation, or the work of an unknown tribe as a form of altar. It’s exact origin will never be known. The perfectly balanced stone until recently would rock at the touch of a finger.
C.F. McGlashan built the original tower in 1895 and used it to display Donner Party relics and his famous butterfly collection. The site of an overnight stop for the Olympic Torch in 1960. — Map (db m23527) |
| California (Nevada County), Truckee — Nev.-01-95 — Schallenberger Cabin Site |
| | Near this spot stood a small cabin built by 18 year old Moses Schallenberger and two other men. They were members of the Stephens-Townsend-Murphy party of 1844, the first pioneers to take wagons over the Sierra Nevada, opening the Truckee Route of the California Trail. The three men had volunteered to remain behind and guard six of the wagons left here by the main party.
Due to extreme winter weather conditions and lack of food, the three men agreed to separate. The two older men rejoined . . . — Map (db m11601) |
| California (Nevada County), Truckee — Stephens – Townsend – Murphy Party of 1844 — First Pioneer Wagons Over The Sierra Nevada |
| | On May 22, 1844, this small wagon party of 50 men, women and children “jumped off” from Council Bluffs, Iowa, bound for California. These courageous pioneers were the first emigrants to take wagons over the Sierra Nevada, opening the Truckee Route of the California Trail.
The Murphy, Townsend, Miller, and Hitchcock families formed the main groups of the party. Caleb Greenwood was the hired guide, and Elisha Stephens was elected Captain of the wagon train.
After following . . . — Map (db m23567) |
| California (Nevada County), Truckee — Theodore Dehone Judah — 1826 – 1863 |
| | As Chief Engineer of the Central Pacific Railroad, Judah’s engineering skill, political savvy and financial genius, along with the promoters’ capital, culminated in formation and construction of the Trans – Sierra leg of the first transcontinental railroad. While fighting the excesses of the railroad’s promoters, he died without seeing his dream completed. — Map (db m23513) |
| California (Nevada County), Truckee — Truckee — Jewel of the Eastern Sierra |
| | First known as Gray’s Toll Station, then Coburn’s Station, Truckee was established in 1863. Renowned for its lumber industry, Transcontinental Railroad, icehouses, saloons and red light district, Truckee has never been known for her laid back demeanor. It has always been a town where people came to entertain themselves on Friday and Saturday nights, just as it is today. — Map (db m23520) |
| California (Nevada County), Truckee — 780-6 — Truckee — First Transcontinental Railroad |
| | While construction on Sierra tunnels delayed Central Pacific, advance forces at Truckee began building forty miles of track east and west of Truckee moving all supplies by wagon and sled. Summit Tunnel was opened in December, 1867. The line reached Truckee April 3, 1868, and the Sierra was conquered. Rails reached Reno June 19, and construction advanced eastward one mile daily toward the meeting with Union Pacific at Promontory May 10, 1869, to complete the first Transcontinental Railroad. — Map (db m23560) |
| California (Nevada County), Truckee — Truckee’s Old Stone Garage and Site of Town’s First Dwelling |
| | In 1863, Joseph Gray built Truckee’s first structure on this site for use as the Dutch Flat–Donner Lake Wagon Road’s Toll Station. The old log structure was moved in 1907 to the Englehart property on Church Street, one block east of this site, where it still stands today and the brethren of ECV dedicated a plaque in 1965. In 1909, D.J. Smith, with the help of European–trained stone masons, constructed the present building for use as a livery and garage. — Map (db m23545) |
| California (Nevada County), Truckee — World War I Memorial / Victory Highway Monument |
| |
[Located on Front of Monument:]
Dedicated to
California’s Sons and Daughters
Who Served Their Country
In the World War 1917 -1918
And to the Memory of
Those Who Gave the
“Last Full Measure of Devotion”
[Located on Back of Monument:]
Victory Highway Monument Rededication
July 24, 1998
This monument was originally sited on old Highway 40 near the California/Nevada State line in 1928 and removed in the mid 1970’s due to vandalism. It was one . . . — Map (db m23519) |
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