Murphys in Calaveras County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Murphys' Oldest Wooden Home

Photographed by Erik Christeson

1. Murphys' Oldest Wooden Home Marker

Inscription. This home was built by Charles A. and Catherine Caswell Curtis in July 1853. The home comprised four rooms and side porches. The original canvas ceiling was later covered with pine. The original pine plank flooring and cellar both still exist today. The home survived the devastating fire that destroyed much of the town of Murphys in the late 1800s. Their son and his wife, Charles W. and Annie B. Curtis, later occupied the home. Their granddaughter, Annie J. Lombardi, installed electricity with her first paycheck from teaching school. Later she added a fireplace and two additional windows in the parlor. Annie J. Lombardi Voitich and John (Jack) Voitich currently own the home. Upon their occupancy, indoor plumbing was added.

Erected 2001 by Ruby Parlor #46 and Grand Parlor, Native Daughters of the Golden West; Chispa Parlor #139 and Grand Parlor, Native Sons of the Golden West.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1853.

Location. 38° 8.208′ N, 120° 27.631′ W. Marker is in Murphys, California, in Calaveras County. It is on Jones Street

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, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 203 Jones Street, Murphys CA 95247, 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 Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Dunbar House (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Valente Building (about 400 feet away); Batten-Davies Store (about 500 feet away); Murphys (about 500 feet away); Murphy Brothers (about 600 feet away); Stangetti – Solari – Cademartori Store (about 700 feet away); Buena Vista Cemetery (about 700 feet away); Albert A. Michelson (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Murphys.

Photographed by Erik Christeson

2. Murphys' Oldest Wooden Home Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 27, 2023, by James King of San Miguel, California. This page has been viewed 328 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 27, 2023, by James King of San Miguel, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. A higher resolution close-up photo of the marker. • Can you help?