Fiddletown in Amador County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Fiddletown
courtesy California Landmark Foundation, June 27, 2026
1. Fiddletown Marker
Settled by Missourians, 1849. Suggested that settlement be called Fiddletown because residents were always fiddling. Changed in 1878 to Oleta but original name later restored. Once trading center for American, Loafer, and French Flats, Lone Hill and other rich mining camps. Bret Harte added to communitys fame in An Episode of Fiddletown.
Erected 1950 by California Centennials Commission and Residents of Fiddletown. (Marker Number 35.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1849.
Location. 38° 30.255′ N, 120° 45.617′ W. Marker is in Fiddletown, California, in Amador County. It is on Fiddletown Road east of Jibboom Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 14300 Fiddletown Rd, Fiddletown CA 95629, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in California’s Sierra Nevada. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Chew Kee Store (within shouting distance of this marker); H. C. Farnham House 1855 (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fiddletown-Oleta (approx. 0.2 miles away); D'Agostini Winery (approx. 2 miles away); Shenandoah School (approx. 2.7 miles away); Shenandoah Valley (approx. 3 miles away); City of Plymouth (approx. 5 miles away); The Arcade Bar (approx. 5 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fiddletown.
More about this marker. The original plaque was stolen. A new plaque was unveiled on June 27, 2026.
Also see . . . California Landmark Foundation. A non profit organization dedicated to maintaining and preserving California Historical Landmarks for future generations. They replaced this marker after it was stolen. (Submitted on May 26, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.)
courtesy California Landmark Foundation, June 27, 2026
2. Fiddletown Marker
Photographed by Karen Key, August 24, 2007
3. Original Fiddletown Marker
Photographed by Karen Key, August 24, 2007
4. Fiddletown Marker
Photographed by Karen Key, August 24, 2007
5. Fiddletown
Photographed by Karen Key, August 24, 2007
6. Chew Kee Store
Photographed by Karen Key, August 24, 2007
7. Chew Kee Store
Rammed Earth "Adobe" built 1850, Home-Office-Store of Dr. Yee, Chinese Herb Doctor
Photographed by Karen Key, August 24, 2007
8. Chew Kee Store
Photographed by Karen Key, August 24, 2007
9. Fiddletown Building
Photographed by Karen Key, August 24, 2007
10. Fiddletown Building
March 31, 2011
11. C. Schallhorn's Blacksmith and Wagon-Shop, A.D. 1870
March 31, 2011
12. Oleta Schoolhouse, on American Flat Road
Constructed in 1862, and served as a schoolhouse until 1955. Currently undergoing renovation for use as a schoolhouse museum.
Photographed by Karen Key, August 24, 2007
13. Chew Kee Store
Credits. This page was last revised on June 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 16, 2007, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California. This page has been viewed 2,494 times since then and 61 times this year. Last updated on December 21, 2016, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. Photos: 1. submitted on June 28, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2. submitted on May 26, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on September 16, 2007, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California. 11, 12. submitted on April 1, 2011. 13. submitted on September 16, 2007, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
