Nevada City in Nevada County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Sheriff David Fulton Douglass

Photographed by Cory Waters, October 5, 2025

1. Sheriff David Fulton Douglass Marker

Inscription. On this spot Sheriff Douglass, a Native Son of the Golden West, gave his life July 26, 1896, bravely performing his duty. Alone he tracked a highwayman to this retreat and both fell in battle. It is believed that Douglass was pitted against two and that one escaped. The bodies lay parallel.

Erected 1936 by The Native Sons and Native Daughters of the Golden West, County of Nevada, California Peace Officers Association.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Law Enforcement. In addition, it is included in the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 26, 1896.

Location. 39° 16.669′ N, 121° 1.702′ W. Marker is in Nevada City, California, in Nevada County. It is on Airport Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Nevada City CA 95959, 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

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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 one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Pioneer Emigrant Trail (approx. 0.4 miles away); Hydraulic Mining (approx. 0.7 miles away); American Hill Diggings (approx. ¾ mile away); a different marker also named Pioneer Emigrant Trail (approx. 0.8 miles away); Pioneer Cemetery (approx. 0.9 miles away); Ten Stamp Mill (approx. 1.1 miles away); Nevada City Public Library (approx. 1.1 miles away); Nevada City Methodist Church (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nevada City.

Also see . . . A 66-year mystery (The Union, May 31, 2006). The article addresses the question as to who the "third man" at the site of the murder may have been. (Submitted on July 3, 2021.)

Photographed by Nathan W., August 10, 2015

2. Sheriff David Fulton Douglass Marker

Sheriff David Fulton Douglass Monument Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Hemmings, March 12, 2017

3. Sheriff David Fulton Douglass Monument Site

Sheriff Douglass' marker is in the foreground, the bandit's in the background.

The Bandit's Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Hemmings, March 12, 2017

4. The Bandit's Marker

“The Bandit Lay Here”

Credits. This page was last revised on October 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 13, 2021. This page has been viewed 470 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 8, 2025, by Cory Waters of Bangor, California. 2. submitted on June 13, 2021, by Nathan W. of Nevada City, California. 3, 4. submitted on April 8, 2023, by James King of San Miguel, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.