Lockeford in San Joaquin County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Pioneer Hill / Lockeford

Photographed By Syd Whittle, December 23, 2005

1. Pioneer Hill / Lockeford Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Pioneer Hill It was on this hill that Dr. Dean Jewett Locke and his brother Elmer H. Locke built the first cabin of this section in 1851. Disturbed by grizzly bears, they spent their first nights in the oak trees. Dr. Locke, physician for the Boston and Newton Joint Stock Company, left Boston April 16, 1849, crossing the plains. Arriving at Sacramento, Sept. 16, 1849 he built and maintained a ford across the Mokelumne River and because of this fact his wife, Delia Hanford Locke, in 1859 named the town he layed out on his ranch.
Lockeford Luther Locke, his father, was Postmaster of the first Post Office established in 1861. Dr. Locke was born in Langdon N.H. April 16, 1823, and died at Lockeford May 4, 1887.

Erected 1936 by Stockton Parlor No. 256, Native Daughters of the Golden West. (Marker Number 365.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Communications • Settlements & Settlers

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• Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1851.

Location. 38° 10.081′ N, 121° 9.44′ W. Marker is in Lockeford, California, in San Joaquin County. Marker is on Elliott Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lockeford CA 95237, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Harmony Grove Church (approx. 1.8 miles away); David S. Terry (approx. 4.2 miles away); Lone Star Mill (approx. 4.3 miles away); Mackville Road Bridge (approx. 4.3 miles away); Glenview Cemetery (approx. 4.3 miles away); James B. Anderson (approx. 4.3 miles away); Athearn School Bell (approx. 4.4 miles away); Clements Elementary School (approx. 4.4 miles away).

Regarding Pioneer Hill / Lockeford. This site was designate a California Registered Historical Landmark (No. 365) under the heading of "Lockeford (Locke's Ford)" on October 9, 1939.

Also See: Camp Site of Boston-Newton Party marker, Shingle Springs, Ca.

Additional commentary.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, December 23, 2005

2. Pioneer Hill / Lockeford Marker

1. From the Burlington, Mass. Historical Commission:
The Clapp family moved to California during the mid-1870s. The Clapp family settled in the Central Valley town of Manteca in San Joaquin County, south of Sacramento, Ca. The two youngest daughters, Lucinda and Mary Eleanor, married into New England families transplanted to California. Lucinda married Nathaniel Howard Locke (b. 1859), who was born in the nearby town of Lockeford, California. Nathaniel’s parents, Dr. Dean Jewett Locke (1823-1887) and Delia Marcella Hammond Locke (b. 1836), and his uncle, Elmer H. Locke, came west in 1849, taking the overland route across the Plains. Dr. Locke served as the physician for the Boston and Newton Joint Stock Company, taking six months to complete the overland journey from Boston to Sacramento. Arriving in Sacramento on September 16, 1849, the Lockes built and maintained a ford across the Mokelumne River. The family acquired a ranch and built a cabin in 1851—this was the first cabin in Lockeford, California, located on what is now Pioneer Hill. Disturbed by grizzly bears, they spent their first nights in oak trees. Their son, Nathaniel Howard, was born eight years later in 1859. He married Lucinda Clapp in 1884.

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

Pioneer Hill / Lockeford State Historical Landmark Directional Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, December 23, 2005

3. Pioneer Hill / Lockeford State Historical Landmark Directional Sign

Credits. This page was last revised on December 12, 2019. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,755 times since then and 83 times this year. Last updated on December 12, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 8, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 3. submitted on December 8, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.