Copperopolis in Calaveras County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Black Bart at Funk Hill

Copperopolis

Photographed By Syd Whittle, June 7, 2009

1. Black Bart at Funk Hill Marker

Inscription. July 1875, at Funk Hill 4 miles due east Black Bart, alias Charles E. Bolton or Boles, wearing a flour sack mask and a linen duster, waving a double-barrelled shot gun held up the Wells Fargo Sonora to Milton Stage. The first successful stage robbery in California. For eight years he was the “scourge and terror of California roads.” Often leaving a few lines of doggerel at the scene:

I’ve labored long and hard for bread,
For honor and for riches,
But on my corns’ too long you’ve tred,
You fine-haired sons of b------.
Twenty eight robberies later Bart again struck at Funk Hill, only to be wounded and to leave clues leading to his capture in San Francisco. Released from San Quentin January 23, 1888, he disappeared after getting off the train in Visalia.

Erected 1988 by Matuca Chapter 1849 & Tuleburgh Chapter 69, E Clampus Vitus.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 23, 1823.

Location. 37° 58.913′ N, 120° 38.556′ W. Marker is in Copperopolis, California, in Calaveras County. Marker can be reached from Main Street, on the left when traveling

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south. Marker is located at Copper Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 475 Main Street, Copperopolis CA 95228, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Copperopolis Park (a few steps from this marker); The Copperopolis Bell and Cannon (within shouting distance of this marker); Copperopolis (approx. ¼ mile away); Congregational Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Calaveras Telephone (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Copperopolis (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Old Corner Saloon (approx. 0.4 miles away); Thomas McCarty (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Copperopolis.

Also see . . . Black Bart. A collection of articles devoted to Black Bart detailing his history, robberies, arrest, etc. (Submitted on June 9, 2009.)

Additional keywords. Outlaws

Photographed By Syd Whittle, June 7, 2009

2. Copper Park

Marker can be seen to the right.

Calaveras County Court Room image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle

3. Calaveras County Court Room

Courtroom in San Andreas where Black Bart was tried, convicted and sentenced.

Charles E. Boles aka Charles E. Bolton alias Black Bart image. Click for full size.

Unknown photographer, via Wikipedia Commons, circa 1888

4. Charles E. Boles aka Charles E. Bolton alias Black Bart

Credits. This page was last revised on June 22, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 9, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 5,371 times since then and 216 times this year. Last updated on November 9, 2013, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 9, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 3. submitted on September 15, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 4. submitted on June 22, 2021, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.