Coloma in El Dorado County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

El Dorado County Jail

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, January 21, 2023

1. El Dorado County Jail Marker

Inscription. The first known mention of a jail in Coloma was in 1850. It was located in the Marshall House hotel near the river. The second jail was made of large logs and was located farther up High Street. It was used from 1850 to 1856. The third and final jail and its partial remains are what you see before you. This jail was completed in 1856 while Coloma was still the County Seat of El Dorado. This jail was made of only granite blocks and steel; making it one of the most impressive and secure jails in California at the time. It had eight cells and could house at least 16 prisoners. One of the cells still remains; changed little since the jail was first built.

Please do not climb on jail or cell

Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park

Erected by California Department of Parks & Recreation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.

Location. 38° 47.959′ N, 120° 53.462′ W. Marker is in Coloma, California, in El Dorado County. It is at the intersection of Back Street and Brewery Street, on the right when traveling south on Back Street.

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The resin marker is mounted to a metal stand in front of the stone building. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Coloma CA 95613, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Sacramento Metro,

in the Sierra Nevada,

and in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

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 walking distance of this marker: Site of Coloma's Largest Brick Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Joe Seeley Home Watchmaker (within shouting distance of this marker); Coloma Breweries (within shouting distance of this marker); Henry Mahler's Fruit Farm (within shouting distance of this marker); What Happened To All The Buildings? (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); G.J. Hazeltine's Daguerrean Gallery (about 300 feet away); Noteware-Thomas House

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, January 21, 2023

2. El Dorado County Jail Marker

(about 300 feet away); Beer Garden (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Coloma.

Other markers no longer nearby. El Dorado County Jails (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Winters’ Hotel (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed); Site of Wintermantel’s Miner’s Hotel (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed); Coloma’s Largest Brick Store (was about 300 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. A previous marker on the same subject.

Metal Cage In Front Of The Stone Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, January 21, 2023

3. Metal Cage In Front Of The Stone Building

El Dorado County Jail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, January 21, 2023

4. El Dorado County Jail

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, January 21, 2023

5. El Dorado County Jail

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, January 21, 2023

6. El Dorado County Jail

Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 31, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. This page has been viewed 556 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 31, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.