Big Oak Flat in Tuolumne County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Big Oak Flat

— Mark Twain Bret Harte Trail —

Photographed by Syd Whittle, October 16, 2006

1. Mark Twain Bret Harte Trail - Big Oak Flat Marker

Inscription. First called Savage Diggins after the man who discovered gold here, 1848. Renamed Big Oak Flat about 1850 after giant oak tree that stood in the center of town, near this spot. Oak, which was about 13 feet in diameter and was undermined in 1869 and burned in 1890. Pieces remain. Rich placer and lode mines are reported to have yielded $28,000,000 during heyday. Stone buildings erected 1852. Still standing in 1949.

Erected 1949 by The California Centennials Commission and The Boys Service Club, Sonora Union High School. (Marker Number 406.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Natural Resources • Notable Places • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the Mark Twain Bret Harte Trail series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1848.

Location. 37° 49.361′ N, 120° 15.639′ W. Marker is in Big Oak Flat, California, in Tuolumne County. It is at the intersection of State Highway 120 and Vassar Street, on the right when traveling east on State Highway 120. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area:

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Big Oak Flat CA 95305, 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 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Joseph E. Lemos (approx. 0.2 miles away); Groveland (approx. 2 miles away); Iron Door Saloon (approx. 2 miles away); Groveland Hotel (approx. 2 miles away); Arrastra (approx. 2.2 miles away); MCH History (approx. 2.7 miles away); Ferretti Shrine (approx. 3.3 miles away); Second Garrote (approx. 3½ miles away).

Regarding Big Oak Flat. The stone buildings mentioned on the marker are no longer there.

The pieces of the oak tree mentioned on the marker are located in the barred area under the marker.

Also see . . . Ghost Towns.Com. Big Oak Flat. (Submitted on September 2, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)

Big Oak Flat Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, October 16, 2006

2. Big Oak Flat Marker

Note the pieces of the oak tree under the marker

Building in Big Oak Flat image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, October 16, 2006

3. Building in Big Oak Flat

Big Oak State Historic Landmark Directional Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, October 16, 2006

4. Big Oak State Historic Landmark Directional Sign

Credits. This page was last revised on March 26, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,255 times since then and 31 times this year. Last updated on March 24, 2022, by James King of San Miguel, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 2, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 3, 4. submitted on December 8, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.