Near Columbia in Tuolumne County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Tuttletown
— Mark Twain Bret Harte Trail —
Photographed By Richard Wisehart, March 21, 2008
1. Mark Twain Bret Harte Trail, Tuttletown Marker
Early day stopping place for men and mounts. Named for Judge Anson A. H. Tuttle who built first log cabin here in 1848. Stones used in this base from old Swerer Store built in 1854, remains of which still exist, 1949. Mark Twain traded here. Tuttletown Hotel, built in 1852 and still standing in 1949, was last operated by John Edwards.
Erected 1949 by California Centennial Commission with base provided by Sonora Lodge of Elks No. 1857. (Marker Number 124.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Places • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the Mark Twain Bret Harte Trail series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1848.
Location. 37° 59.45′ N, 120° 27.71′ W. Marker is near Columbia, California, in Tuolumne County. Marker is at the intersection of State Highway 49 and Wilcox Ranch Rd., on the right when traveling north on State Highway 49. Marker is approximately 7 miles north of Sonora. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Columbia CA 95310, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Mark Twain Cabin (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Mark Twain Cabin (approx. one mile away);
this page online
Regarding Tuttletown. Judging from historical photographs, the Tuttletown Hotel was a fairly impressive looking building for its day. Regrettably, based on discussion with current Tuttletown citizens, the Hotel burned down around the time this marker was erected. The site of the former hotel, about the only land flat enough to build on, is now occupied by the Red Barn, a combination bar and mini-grocery store.
Also see . . .
1. Tuttletown, California. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on October 21, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. On the Mark Twain–Bret Harte Gold-Rush Trail. Vancouver is Awesome website entry (Submitted on October 21, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Richard Wisehart, March 21, 2008
2. Mark Twain Bret Harte Trail, Tuttletown Marker
Photographed By Alma Lavenson, circa 1947
3. Tuttletown Hotel
From The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Photographed By Roger Sturtevant, April 15, 1934
4. Swerer Store (Courtesy of the Historic American Building Survey, LOC)
Constructed in the 1850's, Mark Twain is said to have once traded at this store. It is no longer extant, however at least part of it lives on as the base for this California State Historical Landmark plaque.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 5, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 2, 2008, by Richard Wisehart of Sonora, California. This page has been viewed 2,003 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 2, 2008, by Richard Wisehart of Sonora, California. 3. submitted on April 7, 2008, by Matt Gholson of Houston, Texas. 4. submitted on April 9, 2009. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
