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

Valley Spring

Photographed by Syd Whittle, August 3, 2006

1. Valley Spring Marker

Inscription.
The original three foot narrow gauge line was built by the San Joaquin & Sierra Nevada Railroad, extending from Brack’s Landing on the Mokelumne River, east to Valley Springs. The depot and turntable were built around the time of completion of the last section, which was finished in April 1885, at a total cost of $409,570. The line was changed to standard gauge by Southern Pacific around 1904. It was then extended 13 miles further east to Kentucky House to service the Calaveras Cement Company in 1925. Passenger service ended around 1932 but the line continued to serve as a freight line, until closure of the cement plant. The last rail shipment of cement was in 1983.

Erected 1993 by Matuca Chapter #1849 E Clampus Vitus. (Marker Number 251.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Landmarks • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the E Clampus Vitus series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1885.

Location. 38° 11.474′ N, 120° 49.756′ W. Marker is in Valley Springs, California, in Calaveras County. It is

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on State Highway 12, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located next to the parking lot of the old train depot. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Valley Springs CA 95252, 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 North America,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and 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: Double Springs (approx. 2.3 miles away); Campo Seco (approx. 2.8 miles away); a different marker also named Double Springs (approx. 4.9 miles away); Camanche (approx. 5.1 miles away); Paloma (Fosteria) (approx. 6 miles away); California Pioneers Reinterred from Poverty Bar Cemetery (approx. 6.9 miles away); Lancha Plana (approx. 7 miles away); Jenny Lind (approx. 7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Valley Springs.

More about this marker.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, August 3, 2006

2. Valley Spring Marker

In 1937, Valley Spring was designated California Historical Landmark No. 251.

Also see . . . San Joaquin & Sierra Nevada Railroad. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on August 23, 2008.)

Depot Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, August 3, 2006

3. Depot Building

Now a commercial building for a local business

Credits. This page was last revised on January 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,840 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 23, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.