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

Site of Wells Fargo Express and Banking Company

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado

1. Site of Wells Fargo Express and Banking Company Marker

Inscription. The Wells Fargo Company was organized in 1851 in San Francisco. Coloma’s office was opened in 1852 in McConnell’s general store. When the competing Adams Express Company folded in 1855, Wells Fargo soon became the dominant banking and express company in the west. Each shipment, usually carried on a Concord stagecoach, was guarded by an armed rider sitting next to the driver with a double-barreled shotgun. This was known as “riding shotgun.”

Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park

Erected by California Department of Parks & Recreation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1852.

Location. 38° 47.993′ N, 120° 53.406′ W. Marker is in Coloma, California, in El Dorado County. It is at the intersection of Coloma Road (California Route 49) and Brewery Street (Route 2), on the right when traveling north on Coloma Road. The resin marker is mounted to a metal stand on the side of the road. 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 the Sierra Nevada House (here, next to this marker); Site of Coloma Livery Stables (a few steps from this marker); Blacksmith Shop (a few steps from

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this marker); Monroe House (within shouting distance of this marker); G.J. Hazeltine's Daguerrean Gallery (within shouting distance of this marker); Coloma Breweries (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Virginia Saloon (within shouting distance of this marker); Robert Bell's Store (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Coloma.

Other markers no longer nearby. Site of Sierra Nevada House (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Coloma’s Largest Brick Store (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Odd Fellows Hall (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, January 21, 2023

2. Site of Wells Fargo Express and Banking Company Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 1, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. This page has been viewed 257 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 1, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.