Foresthill in Placer County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Bell

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 5, 2011

1. St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Bell Marker

Inscription. Cast in Sheffield by Naylor Vickers and Co. -1859 – E. Riepe’s Patent no 1027, arrived in Boston 1862 then shipped around the Horn to San Francisco via boat to Sacramento and by six horse team to Forest Hill. Miners raised $3,500 to pay for it and christened it “Bell of St. Joseph.” Church burned 1952. Monument erected 1958.

Erected 1958 by Placer County Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells series list.

Location. 39° 1.296′ N, 120° 48.636′ W. Marker is in Foresthill, California, in Placer County. Marker is on Foresthill Road, 0.2 miles east of Old Mill Road, on the right when traveling east. Nov.2022: The bell and marker have recently been relocated from their original location on the south side of Foresthill Road, about 300 meters to the west (39.0216N, 120.8106W) and now stand within the Catholic Cemetery fence, directly across the road from the Cal Fire Foresthill Station. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 24800 Foresthill Road, Foresthill CA 95631, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Foresthill School Bell (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Foresthill Protestant Cemetery

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(approx. ¼ mile away); Foresthill General Store (approx. 0.3 miles away); Compressed Air Engine (approx. 0.3 miles away); Forest Hill (approx. 0.4 miles away); Yankee Jim's (approx. 2.8 miles away); First Mining Ditch (approx. 2.8 miles away); The Josephine Mine Cemetery (approx. 3.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Foresthill.

More about this marker. The marker text is slightly misleading. No.1027 is the serial number of the bell, and appears on its waist. There is no patent number accompanying the name of the patentee in the makers inscription in the shoulder band. The marker was not refurbished during the relocation.

Regarding St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Bell. During the relocation of the bell, it was completely refurbished, and a new pair of supports was provided. It is now at ground level, and thus can be more easily examined.

Marker and bell in new location within the cemetery. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Norris

2. Marker and bell in new location within the cemetery.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 5, 2011

3. St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Bell Marker

Renovated bell on new supports image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Norris, November 2022

4. Renovated bell on new supports

Serial number on the waist of the bell image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Norris, November 2022

5. Serial number on the waist of the bell

Credits. This page was last revised on November 29, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 846 times since then and 18 times this year. Last updated on November 5, 2022, by Carl Scott Zimmerman of Kirkwood, Missouri. Photos: 1. submitted on July 2, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 2. submitted on November 5, 2022, by Carl Scott Zimmerman of Kirkwood, Missouri. 3. submitted on July 2, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 4, 5. submitted on November 5, 2022, by Carl Scott Zimmerman of Kirkwood, Missouri. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.