Wheatland in Yuba County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Johnson's Ranch

Photographed by Syd Whittle, February 15, 2006

1. Johnson's Ranch Marker

Inscription. The first settlement reached in California by emigrant trains using the Emigrant (“Donner”) Trail. It was an original part of the 1844 Don Pablo Gutierrez Land Grant. It was sold at auction to William Johnson in 1854. In 1849 part of the ranch was set aside as a government reserve -- Camp Far West. In 1866 the town of Wheatland was also laid out on a portion of the grant.

Erected 1971 by State Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with the Wheatland Lions Club (May 30, 1971). (Marker Number 493.)

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 series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1844.

Location. 39° 0.618′ N, 121° 25.375′ W. Marker is in Wheatland, California, in Yuba County. It is on Front Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located at Tomita Park, between Fourth and Main Streets. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wheatland CA 95692, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Sacramento Metro,

in Sacramento Valley,

and specifically in the Central Valley.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Holland House (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Durst Hop Ranch (approx. ¼ mile away); Chinese Pyre

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(approx. 0.8 miles away); Overland Emigrant Trail (approx. 2.9 miles away); Union Shed (approx. 3.2 miles away); Sheridan Cemetery (approx. 4.3 miles away); Camp Beale POW Compound (approx. 5.9 miles away); The Graham Hotel (approx. 7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wheatland.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Camp Far West Cemetery (was approx. 4.7 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. This site is a California Registered Historical Landmark (No. 493).

Regarding Johnson's Ranch. Perhaps the most important thing for which the Johnson Ranch is remembered is that it was there that the five women and two men survivors of the “Forlorn Hope” group from the snowed-in Donner Party arrived (after 33 grueling days which saw 7 of their number die) on Jan. 17, 1847, seeking aid for the remainder of their ill-fated wagon train.

Also see . . .
1. Wheatland, California. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on January 10, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. An 1849 Map of Johnson's Ranch and the Wheatland Area

Photographed by Syd Whittle, February 15, 2006

2. Johnson's Ranch Marker

. This Wheatland Historical Society's defunct website at the Wayback Machine offers this map and links to additional maps and information. (Submitted on February 27, 2011.)

Additional commentary.
1. Johnson Ranch Marker at the Actual Site
We were on a wagon train 15 yrs ago give or take. We started at Rough and Ready went through Penn Valley through Beale AFB to Johnson Ranch. We spent the night there by a big log (the mountain men killed a rattler and cooked it but the children were protesting the killing. I'll never forget that). I was walking around and found a dirt road next to the walnut orchard (probably east of the Camp Far West Road across from the pasture we were camped in) and ran across a marker. It had something to do with the Donner Party and Johnson Ranch and that is my first knowledge that the Donner Party arrived their after their ordeal. I had read the book earlier so I was acquainted with the Johnson Ranch. Regretfully I didn't get a picture of it nor of the wagon train. Just memories and a few names of the teamsters and outriders. Most of them are gone now or moved.

Just my two cents worth,
Thanks for listening....joyce
Editors Note: Thank you for this personal memory!

Photographed by Lester J Letson, July 20, 2007

3. Johnson's Ranch Stable location
A group of Clampers and local historians visit the location where the Johnson's Ranch stable used to stand.
— Submitted August 18, 2013, by Joyce Patterson of Oregon House, California.

Johnson's Ranch Well image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lester J Letson, July 20, 2007

4. Johnson's Ranch Well

The well has been restored and is visible in a grove of trees Southwest of where it is believed the stables once stood.

Trail to Johson's Ranch outbuildings image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lester J Letson

5. Trail to Johson's Ranch outbuildings

Members of E Clampus Vitus walk down the trail to the location of the collapsed outbuildings at the original location of Johnson's Ranch which dates from the 1840's. The actual location of the original adobe is further down this trail on private property and is off limits to all except a few historians studying the area.

Donner Emigrant Trail Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lester J Letson

6. Donner Emigrant Trail Marker

Close up of the simple marker erected near the Johnson Ranch. The Truckee River Route of the California Trail (over what would be known later as Donner Pass) traveled down the Bear River, and Johnson’s Ranch was the first inhabited area the early emigrants would come to in California. This plaque is located near the Johnson's Ranch well.

Photographed by Lester J Letson

7. Donner Emigrant Trail Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 10, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 20, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 4,539 times since then and 104 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 20, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on February 24, 2012, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.