Ahwahnee in Madera County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Shay's Blacksmith Shop & Canary Cottage
Photographed By Grub-Gulch Chapter 41-49
1. Shay's Blacksmith Shop & Canary Cottage Marker
Inscription.
Shay's Blacksmith Shop and Canary Cottage. . John C Shay settled in Grub Gulch at the turn of the 20th century to mine gold. When his mining efforts failed he homesteaded the land, built this shop and started blacksmithing. He serviced the numerous wagons, stages and horse travelers that passed through on their way to Yosemite. Shay built his home known as Canary Cottage named for the golden finches that flay through the area. In 1903 President Theodore Roosevelt traveled through Grub Gulch on his way to Yosemite and Shay saluted him with volleys of rifle fire from the front porch. Shay returned to San Francisco in the 1920s and the property was bought by the Evert Hinshaw Company that provided gasoline, oil, home cooked meals, pies, room rentals, and operated "Standard High Sierra Saddle Tours." In 1928 the property was purchased by the Elam family whose descendants still occupy the house and are ranching to this day.
John C Shay settled in Grub Gulch at the turn of the 20th century to mine gold. When his mining efforts failed he homesteaded the land, built this shop and started blacksmithing. He serviced the numerous wagons, stages and horse travelers that passed through on their way to Yosemite. Shay built his home known as Canary Cottage named for the golden finches that flay through the area. In 1903 President Theodore Roosevelt traveled through Grub Gulch on his way to Yosemite and Shay saluted him with volleys of rifle fire from the front porch. Shay returned to San Francisco in the 1920s and the property was bought by the Evert Hinshaw Company that provided gasoline, oil, home cooked meals, pies, room rentals, and operated "Standard High Sierra Saddle Tours." In 1928 the property was purchased by the Elam family whose descendants still occupy the house and are ranching to this day.
Erected 2013 by Grub Gulch Chapter 41-49 E Clampus Vitus.
45.78′ W. Marker is in Ahwahnee, California, in Madera County. Marker is on Grub Gulch Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ahwahnee CA 93601, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . Clampers Dedicate a Plaque. A 2013 "Sierra News" article regarding the plaque dedication. (Submitted on April 11, 2020, by Frank Gunshow Sanchez of Hollister, California.)
Photographed By Grub-Gulch Chapter 41-49
2. Shay's Blacksmith Shop & Canary Cottage Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 13, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 11, 2020, by Frank Gunshow Sanchez of Hollister, California. This page has been viewed 234 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 11, 2020, by Frank Gunshow Sanchez of Hollister, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photos of any existing buildings. • Can you help?
