Foresthill in Placer County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Yankee Jim's

Photographed by Syd Whittle, December 6, 2005

1. Yankee Jim's Marker

Inscription. Gold was discovered here in 1850 by 'Yankee Jim,' a reputed lawless character, and by 1857 the town was one of the most important in Placer County. The first mining ditch in the county was constructed here by H. Starr and Eugene Phelps. Colonel William McClure introduced hydraulic mining to this area in June of 1853.

Erected 1950 by The California Centennials Commission. Base furnished by Placer County Historical Society. Dedicated August 20, 1950. (Marker Number 398.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1853.

Location. 39° 1.755′ N, 120° 51.686′ W. Marker is in Foresthill, California, in Placer County. It is at the intersection of Yankee Jims Road and Spring Garden Road, on the right when traveling north on Yankee Jims Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4000 Yankee Jims Rd, Foresthill CA 95631, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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

in the Sierra Nevada,

and in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

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 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: First Mining Ditch (here, next to this marker); Forest Hill (approx. 2.4 miles away); Compressed Air Engine (approx. 2½ miles

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away); Foresthill General Store (approx. 2½ miles away); Foresthill School Bell (approx. 2.7 miles away); Foresthill Protestant Cemetery (approx. 2.8 miles away); St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Bell (approx. 2.8 miles away); Old Four Fingers (approx. 4.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Foresthill.

Regarding Yankee Jim's. This site has been designated a California Registered Historical Landmark (No.398)

Also see . . .
1. California Genealogy: Yankee Jim’s. (Submitted on September 29, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)
2. California Museum; Gold Rush District - Forest Hill. (Submitted on September 29, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)

Photographed by Syd Whittle, December 6, 2005

2. Yankee Jim's Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 29, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 5,132 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 29, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.