Markleeville in Alpine County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
The Lost Whiskey of Raymond
Snowshoe Thompson Chapter No. 1827 of the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus, August 6, 2017
1. Last Whiskey of Raymond Marker
Inscription.
The Lost Whiskey of Raymond. . The Raymond Mining District was in operation from 1863 – 1869. It was located roughly four miles north of Silver Mountain and four miles south-west of Markleeville, along Krumm Creek entering Pleasant Valley. Named for R. W. Raymond, who surveyed the area for the U.S. Geological Survey, Raymond City was just a small settlement with houses made up mostly of shakes, bark, and brush. It also boasted a drug store and a saloon.
Legend says that when the town closed, (likely as miners departed for better diggins’) the owners of Raymond Saloon hid their liquor bottles and whiskey kegs in a nearby mine tunnel for their eventual return, then caved in the mouth of the tunnel.
For almost 150 years people have searched for the lost whiskey of Raymond. Some never found the town, and some located a few bottles, but no one has ever found the buried treasure. When asked about the whiskey in 1976, pioneer-historian Harry Hawkins commented, “it sure would be aged!”
Dedicated on July 29, 2017 (6022) , By the Snowshoe Thompson Chapter #1827 , Of The Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus
The Raymond Mining District was in operation from 1863 – 1869. It was located roughly four miles north of Silver Mountain and four miles south-west of Markleeville, along Krumm Creek entering Pleasant Valley. Named for R. W. Raymond, who surveyed the area for the U.S. Geological Survey, Raymond City was just a small settlement with houses made up mostly of shakes, bark, and brush. It also boasted a drug store and a saloon.
Legend says that when the town closed, (likely as miners departed for better diggins’) the owners of Raymond Saloon hid their liquor bottles and whiskey kegs in a nearby mine tunnel for their eventual return, then caved in the mouth of the tunnel.
For almost 150 years people have searched for the lost whiskey of Raymond. Some never found the town, and some located a few bottles, but no one has ever found the buried treasure. When asked about the whiskey in 1976, pioneer-historian Harry Hawkins commented, “it sure would be aged!”
Dedicated on July 29, 2017 (6022)
By the Snowshoe Thompson Chapter #1827
Of The Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus
Erected 2017 by Snowshoe Thompson Chapter #1827 of Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers
Click or scan to see this page online
. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1869.
Location. 38° 41.661′ N, 119° 46.978′ W. Marker is in Markleeville, California, in Alpine County. Marker is on School Street. At the end of School Street off of Montgomery Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Markleeville CA 96120, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Snowshoe Thompson Chapter No. 1827 of the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus, August 6, 2017
2. Last Whiskey of Raymond Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 20, 2019. It was originally submitted on April 10, 2018, by Frank Gunshow Sanchez of Hollister, California. This page has been viewed 939 times since then and 475 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 10, 2018. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
