Grass Valley in Nevada County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Mount Saint Mary’s Convent and Academy

Photographed by Syd Whittle, December 29, 2006

1. Mount Saint Mary’s Convent and Academy Marker

Inscription. Built by the Reverend Thomas J. Dalton and dedicated May 2, 1865 by Bishop Eugene O’Connell as Sacred Heart Convent and Holy Angels Orphanage. Under the Sisters of Mercy it served from 1866 to 1932 as the first orphanage of the Northern Mines. It functioned as an Academy (1868 – 1965) and a convent (1866 – 1968).

Erected 1972 by The State Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with the Mount Saint Mary’s Historic Preservation Committee and the Sisters of Mercy, October 28, 1972. (Marker Number 855.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education • Religion & Religious Structures • Women. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 2, 1865.

Location. 39° 12.854′ N, 121° 4.056′ W. Marker is in Grass Valley, California, in Nevada County. It is on South Church Street when traveling south. Marker is located next to the entrance gate. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Grass Valley CA 95945, 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,

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 walking distance of this marker: St. Patrick’s Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Lola Montez 1819 - 1861 (approx. 0.2 miles away);

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Discovery of Gold at Gold Hill (approx. ¼ mile away); Historic Emmanuel Episcopal Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Empire House (approx. ¼ mile away); Grass Valley Library (approx. 0.3 miles away); The First Woman's Christian Temperance Union (approx. 0.3 miles away); Madison Lodge No. 23 F. & A.M. (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grass Valley.

Regarding Mount Saint Mary’s Convent and Academy. Site is on South Church Street between Chapel and Dalton Streets.

This site has been designated as California Registered Historical Landmark No.855

Also see . . . Wikipedia Account of Saint Mary’s Convent and Academy. (Submitted on October 23, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)

Additional commentary.
1. Grass Valley Museum
Location: Old Mt. St. Mary's Academy, corner of Church and Chapel Streets, Grass Valley. Hours: Year round 10 am - 3 pm Tuesday through Friday, Weekends June through October only, Noon to 3 pm.
Built in 1865 as a convent for the Sisters of Mercy, this restored

Mount Saint Mary’s Convent and Academy image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, December 29, 2006

2. Mount Saint Mary’s Convent and Academy

Marker is off photo to the right

school and orphanage offers a glimpse of some of the past uses of the building. The museum includes an original classroom, parlor, music room, doctor's office and memorabilia from Grass Valley's early days.

— Submitted October 23, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.

Main Entrance to Saint Mary's Academy image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, December 29, 2006

3. Main Entrance to Saint Mary's Academy

Photographed by Syd Whittle, December 29, 2006

4. Mount Saint Mary’s Convent and Academy

Now housing the Grass Valley Museum

Walkway at Mount Saint Mary’s Convent and Academy image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, December 29, 2006

5. Walkway at Mount Saint Mary’s Convent and Academy

Museum Display image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, December 29, 2006

6. Museum Display

Photographed by Syd Whittle, December 29, 2006

7. Museum Display

Old Mount St. Mary's Convent, Grass Valley, Calif. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Eastman's Studio, Susanville, Ca

8. Old Mount St. Mary's Convent, Grass Valley, Calif.

Description on Postcard: Built in 1863-1865, in continuous operation to the present time by the Sisters of Mercy, as a school, this was the first convent and orphanage in the State of California. Now houses an elegant period museum maintained by the Nevada County Historical Society and the Old Saint Mary's Historic Committee, and the Pacific Library of History of Science and Technology.

Mount St. Mary's Academy image. Click for more information.

San Francisco Examiner Library San Francisco, Ca.

9. Mount St. Mary's Academy

Historic American Buildings Survey (Library of Congress)
HABS CAL,29-GRAVA,7-
Click for more information.

Historic American Buildings Survey

10. Mount St. Mary's Academy

Historic American Buildings Survey (Library of Congress)
HABS CAL,29-GRAVA,7-
Click for more information.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 3, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 23, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 3,856 times since then and 74 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on October 23, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 8. submitted on October 28, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 9, 10. submitted on May 19, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.