Ceres in Stanislaus County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The Daniel Whitmore House

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, May 5, 2023

1. The Daniel Whitmore House Marker

Inscription.
This home was built by town founder, Daniel Whitmore, in 1870 and is the oldest house in Ceres. Daniel and his wife Lucy Jane Whitmore, sons Clinton and Leonard, came by wagon train from Michigan in 1854 landing near Stockton where son Eugene was born, in 1867. Daniel and his family moved from Stockton to property near the Tuolumne River. In 1870 he built this home on property he did not yet own. Daniel Whitmore purchased almost 10,000 acres of land from Levi Carter in 1872 for the sum of $9,000. Wheat was the crop of choice as irrigation had not yet been implemented. Being a devote Baptist, Daniel sold parcels to increase the local population. These deeds all contained a clause forbidding the use, sale, or manufacture of intoxicating beverages. The property would revert back to the Whitmore family should this clause be violated. The name Ceres was chosen in 1871 by Elma J. Carter, daughter of Levi Carter, originally for her father’s granary warehouse which stood along the new railroad. Daniel Whitmore had his own mill and warehouse which operated two years before burning to the ground in 1882. The home stayed in the Whitmore family until 1936 when it was purchased by the Eskew family. The City of Ceres acquired the property in 1987 marking the beginning of a complete restoration with the help of service organizations, fund raisers

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City of Ceres – Ceres Historical Society – Together We Achieve
Estanislao Chapter 58 of E Clampus Vitus

Erected by Estanislao Chapter 58 - E Clampus Vitus.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.

Location. 37° 35.468′ N, 120° 57.124′ W. Marker is in Ceres, California, in Stanislaus County. It is on 5th Street north of Lawrence Street, on the right when traveling north. The black granite marker is mounted in a masonry foundation in the front yard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2928 5th Street, Ceres CA 95307, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the San Joaquin Valley

and specifically in the Central Valley.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

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 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Ceres Volunteer Fire Department (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ceres War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Coffee Field (approx. 3.6 miles away); The Gerald L. McKinsey Police Complex (approx. 4 miles away); The Police Cars of the Cruise (approx. 4 miles away); Graffiti Summer (approx. 4 miles away); The Drive-Ins

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, May 5, 2023

2. The Daniel Whitmore House Marker

Brian K. Mautino, Grand Noble Humbug
Erected by Estanislao Chapter 58 E Clampus Vitus

(approx. 4 miles away); Modesto Feeds the World (approx. 4.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ceres.

Also see . . . Clampers monument dedicated at historic home. The Ceres Courier

"Manteca resident Gordon Whitmore, a great-grandson of Daniel Whitmore himself attended with his wife Irene, and their daughter Marty Whitmore Sawyer. Also attending was Marty's son, Daniel Sawyer, who was named after his forefather and founder of Ceres."

(Submitted on May 17, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.)

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, May 5, 2023

3. The Daniel Whitmore House Marker

Daniel Whitmore House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, May 5, 2023

4. Daniel Whitmore House

Credits. This page was last revised on June 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 17, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. This page has been viewed 2,847 times since then and 475 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 17, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.