Birchville in Nevada County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Birchville

Photographed by Patrick Duggan, June 18, 2024

1. Birchville Marker

Inscription. For many years, Birchville was a major center of hydraulic mining on the San Juan Ridge. David Johnson, a prospector, first arrived here in 1851 and the town became known as Johnson’s Diggins. The town grew rapidly and in 1853 was renamed Birchville in honor of Lumon Birch Adsit, a local store owner.

In 1865, the San Juan and Bridgeport Union Guard, under the command of Captain Francis Coffey, built its armory on the hill above this monument. In 1869, the armory became St. Columcille’s Catholic Church and served as a place of worship until 1955. In 1949, the Native Daughters of the Golden West erected this monument to commemorate the church.

In 1969, the building was purchased by Babe Pingalia, known affectionately as Mr. San Juan, and donated to the State of California. It was dismantled in 1971 and moved to Malakoff State Historic Park, some 15 miles further up the ridge, where it proudly stands today as a testament to the colorful history of the San Juan Ridge.

Erected 2020 by Nevada County Historical Landmarks Commission. (Marker Number NEV 19-02.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed

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in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1851.

Location. 39° 19.688′ N, 121° 8.617′ W. Marker is in Birchville, California, in Nevada County. It is on Pleasant Valley Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 22917 Pleasant Valley Road, North San Juan CA 95960, 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,

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: The First Long Distance Telephone (approx. 1.8 miles away); Old North San Juan School (approx. 3.4 miles away); Wells Fargo & Company / North San Juan

Photographed by Patrick Duggan, June 18, 2024

2. Birchville Marker

(approx. 3½ miles away); North San Juan Fire Department (approx. 3.6 miles away); North San Juan United Methodist Church (approx. 3.6 miles away); Bridgeport Bridge (approx. 3.7 miles away); a different marker also named Bridgeport Bridge (approx. 3.7 miles away); The Barn (approx. 3.7 miles away).

Also see . . . Birchville/St.Columcille’s Church now a Nevada County historical landmark (YubaNet.Com). Article by the Nevada County Historical Landmarks Commission (July 30, 2019) which mostly regurgitates the marker text, but doe provide a photo of the church with the old NSGW plaque and monument. (Submitted on June 19, 2024.)

St. Columcille’s Catholic Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Patrick Duggan

3. St. Columcille’s Catholic Church

Presently located at Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park.

Photographed by Patrick Duggan

4. St. Columcille’s Catholic Church

Credits. This page was last revised on June 19, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 18, 2024, by Patrick Duggan of Los Angeles, California. This page has been viewed 608 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 18, 2024, by Patrick Duggan of Los Angeles, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.