Coloma in El Dorado County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Bekeart’s Gun Shop
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, January 21, 2023
1. Bekeart’s Gun Shop Marker
Text of original marker:
Jules Francois Bekeart was a gunsmith who came here in 1849 to mine gold and soon became a close friend of James Marshall. The hard labor of gold mining was not to his liking, so “Frank” Berkeart started a highly successful gunsmith business in a wood-frame and canvas building near this site. This brick building was constructed in 1852 after the wood building burned. It is thought to be Coloma’s oldest structure.
Erected by Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1849.
Location. 38° 48.041′ N, 120° 53.475′ W. Marker is in Coloma, California, in El Dorado County. Marker is at the intersection
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Site of Weller's Store (here, next to this marker); Site of Hook and Ladder House No. 1 (a few steps from this marker); Coloma Greys (a few steps from this marker); Coloma Post Office (a few steps from this marker); Crescent City Hotel and Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Doctor Taylor's Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Weller House (within shouting distance of this marker); Coloma Bridges (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Coloma.
Also see . . . Frank Bekeart’s Gunsmith Shop. (Submitted on March 20, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)
Photographed By Syd Whittle, March 17, 2009
2. Bekeart’s Gun Shop Marker
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, January 21, 2023
3. Bekeart’s Gun Shop & Marker
Photographed By Syd Whittle, March 17, 2009
4. Bekeart’s Gun Shop and Marker
Alma Lavenson Photographer, Owner Bancroft Library, UC Berkeley, circa 1968
5. Bekeart’s Gun Shop
Photographed By Merle Porter, Royal Pictures, Colton, California
6. Bekeart’s Store - Coloma, California
Description on Postcard:
It was on Jan.24, 1848 that James Marshall, while turning off the water to Sutter's sawmill, happened to notice gold flakes in the mill race. The news leaked out and soon miners swarmed over the countryside. On April 25, 1851 Coloma became the county seat of El Dorado County, only to lose it to Hangtown (Placerville) in 1857. Jules Francios Bedeart,[note misspelling of name] who first came to Coloma on April 10, 1849, built a little brick store. The building bricks came from a yard in Sacramento. Jim Marshall, who was doing odd jobs, made the counters for the Bekeart store...M.P.
It was on Jan.24, 1848 that James Marshall, while turning off the water to Sutter's sawmill, happened to notice gold flakes in the mill race. The news leaked out and soon miners swarmed over the countryside. On April 25, 1851 Coloma became the county seat of El Dorado County, only to lose it to Hangtown (Placerville) in 1857. Jules Francios Bedeart,[note misspelling of name] who first came to Coloma on April 10, 1849, built a little brick store. The building bricks came from a yard in Sacramento. Jim Marshall, who was doing odd jobs, made the counters for the Bekeart store...M.P.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 23, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 20, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,724 times since then and 62 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 23, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 2. submitted on March 20, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 3. submitted on January 23, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 4, 5, 6. submitted on March 20, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.
