Downieville in Sierra County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Downieville Historic Riverfront District

Photographed by Frank Gunshow Sanchez, August 22, 2025

1. Downieville Historic Riverfront District Marker

Inscription. Sierra County, located in the Northern Mines region, was once home to a number of mining camps with colorful names, such as Brandy City (originally known as Strychnine City), Whiskey Diggings, Poverty Hill, Poker Flat, Port Wine, and Scales. Many of these settlements disappeared or became ghost towns after the Gold Rush. However, the town of Downieville has survived into the present day due to its status as the county seat. Downieville, which reached a peak population of over 5,000 miners in the early 1850s, was one of sixteen communities vying to become the state capital in the general election of October 7, 1850. Downieville placed sixth, only ten votes behind Sacramento, but ahead of much larger cities like San Francisco, which placed tenth. Vallejo ended up receiving an overwhelming majority and became the state capital for a short time, from 1852 to 1853. Downieville's population significantly declined after the Gold Rush and today the town is home to only a few hundred residents.

Dedicated August 23, 2024 (CY6028)
By Major William Downie 1849
Outpost Pio Pico 1801
E Clampus Vitus

Erected 2024 by Major William Downie Chapter 1849 and Pio Pico Outpost 1801 of E Clampus Vitus.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list:

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Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list.

Location. 39° 33.608′ N, 120° 49.677′ W. Marker is in Downieville, California, in Sierra County. It is on Commercial Street just south of Main Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 105 Commercial Street, Downieville CA 95936, 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 walking distance of this marker: In Memory of Juanita (here, next to this marker); Craycroft Building (a few steps from this marker); The Shooting of Thaddeus Purdy (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Downieville Historic Riverfront District (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Charles Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Mackerman & Company Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Downieville (within shouting distance of this marker); Josefa Segovia (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Downieville.

Photographed by Frank Gunshow Sanchez, August 22, 2025

2. Downieville Historic Riverfront District Marker

Located in front of Jadaas Kitchen Restaurant

Credits. This page was last revised on August 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2025, by Frank Gunshow Sanchez of Hollister, California. This page has been viewed 114 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 23, 2025, by Frank Gunshow Sanchez of Hollister, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Clear closeup photo of the marker. • Can you help?