Coloma in El Dorado County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Monroe Family Homestead

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, January 21, 2023

1. Monroe Family Homestead Marker

Inscription. The home of the pioneer Monroe family stood here for more than a century. The family matriarch, Nancy Gooch, came across the plains from Missouri as a slave in 1849. She gained her freedom in 1850 when California joined the Union as a “free” state. Later, she bought the freedom of her son, Andrew Monroe and his family, who joined her in Coloma.

Begun as a cabin, the home was enlarged as the family grew. Andrew and his son Pearley raised fruit and other crops. Their 80 acres of land included the site of Sutter’s sawmill and the gold discovery site.

Erected 1993 by James W. Marshall Chapter #49, E Clampus Vitus.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Agriculture • Settlements & Settlers • Women. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1849.

Location. 38° 48.202′ N, 120° 53.743′ W. Marker is in Coloma, California, in El Dorado County. It can be reached from Highway 49. Marker is located within the boundaries of the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park on the Monroe Ridge Trail and can be reached by a short walk from the North Beach Parking Area. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Coloma CA 95613, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Sacramento Metro,

in the Sierra Nevada,

and in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

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.

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