Woodfords in Alpine County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The Sign of the Elephant

Photographed by Troy ECV Morgan

1. The Sign of the Elephant Marker

Inscription. Daniel Woodford started his hotel, The Sign Of The Elephant, sometime between 1849 and 1857. The Sign Of The Elephant reflects a popular expression of the day for finding something unique or notable. The hotel served travelers along the Old Emigrant Trail and provided an important waypoint between Genoa, Nevada and Placerville, California. An 1865 newspaper ad described the hotel as having "The choicest brands of wines, liquors, and cigars, and the table with the best the market affords. Good stabling with hay and grain always in abundance." Woodford was appointed the local postmaster in 1858, and thereafter the town became known as Woodfords. The Sign Of the Elephant hotel was consumed by fire in 1860 but immediately rebuilt. Another fire destroyed the second hotel in 1900. Today, the Alpine Christian Community Church that occupies the site is still a focal point of the community.

Erected 2020 by Snowshoe Thompson Chapter #1827 of the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1849.

Location. 38° 46.535′ N,

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119° 49.459′ W. Marker is in Woodfords, California, in Alpine County. It is on Old Pony Express Way. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Markleeville CA 96120, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Sierra Nevada.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

on 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: The Pony Express - Woodfords (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Woodfords Station (about 600 feet away); Carson Trail - To West Carson Canyon (approx. 0.7 miles away); Carson Trail - First Crossing in Mad Canyon (approx. 0.9 miles away); Snowshoe Thomson (approx. 2.8 miles away); Snowshoe Thompson Home (approx. 2.8 miles away); Snowshoe Thompson (approx. 2.8 miles away); Carson Trail - Crooked Trail (approx. 3.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of

Photographed by Troy ECV Morgan

2. The Sign of the Elephant Marker

all markers in Woodfords.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 28, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 11, 2022, by Troy ECV Morgan of Carson City, Nevada. This page has been viewed 643 times since then and 77 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 11, 2022, by Troy ECV Morgan of Carson City, Nevada. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.