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.
The Sign of the Elephant. . 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.
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, 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 California’s Sierra Nevada. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, the Pacific Rim, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
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 605 times since then and 39 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.
