Near Columbia in Tuolumne County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Sawmill Flat

— Mark Twain Bret Harte Trail —

Photographed by Richard Wisehart, March 21, 2008

1. Sawmill Flat.

Inscription. Name derived from two sawmills erected here to supply mining timbers early 1850’s. Population at one time 1000. Rich in pocket gold in heyday. Mining camp of Mexican woman, Doña Elisa Martinez, at north end of flat, reported to have been hideout of famous bandit, Joaquin Murieta. Site of story, “The Battle of Sawmill Flat.”

Erected 1949 by California Centennial Commission. (Marker Number 424.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Places • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the Mark Twain Bret Harte Trail series lists.

Location. 38° 1.363′ N, 120° 22.796′ W. Marker is near Columbia, California, in Tuolumne County. It is on Sawmill Flat Road 0.9 miles east of Parrotts Ferry Road (County Route E18), on the right when traveling east. Approximately ¼ mile south of entrance to Columbia College. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Columbia CA 95310, 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Columbia (approx. 1.2 miles away); Hildreth Party (approx. 1.3 miles away); Scraping the Rocks Clean (approx.

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1.4 miles away); A Home for Immigrants (approx. 1.4 miles away); Prosper Rocher Brewery (approx. 1.4 miles away); Site of Donnell & Parsons Building (approx. 1.4 miles away); Eagle Cotage (approx. 1.4 miles away); Columbia Masonic Temple (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.

<i>Sawmill Flat</i> and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard Wisehart, March 21, 2008

2. Sawmill Flat and Marker

View is easterly. Road takes a 90 degree turn to the north (left) at this location. Columbia College is approximately ¼ mile north.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 4, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 1, 2008, by Richard Wisehart of Sonora, California. This page has been viewed 2,167 times since then and 62 times this year. Last updated on May 1, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 1, 2008, by Richard Wisehart of Sonora, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.