Samuel P. Taylor Park in Jewell in Marin County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Pioneer Paper Mill

January 2, 2026

1. Pioneer Paper Mill Marker

Inscription. The first paper mill on the Pacific Coast was built here in November 1856 by Samuel Penfield Taylor using water power and later steam. It was replaced in 1884 by a larger steam-powered mill nearby which was closed by the depression of 1893 and destroyed by fire in 1915.

Erected 1956 by Native Sons and Daughters of the Golden West, California State Park Commission. (Marker Number 552.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1856.

Location. 38° 1.758′ N, 122° 44.433′ W. Marker is in Jewell, California, in Marin County. It is in Samuel P. Taylor Park. It can be reached from Cross Marin Trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5 Taylor Park Rd, Lagunitas CA 94938, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area,

in the North Coast,

and specifically on the Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American

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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 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Paper Mill Dam and Fish Ladder (approx. ¼ mile away); Marin French Cheese Company (approx. 7.7 miles away); Drakes Bay (approx. 7.8 miles away); Smiley's Schooner Saloon (approx. 8.8 miles away); Calvary Presbyterian Church (approx. 8.8 miles away); Site of Birds Nest Glen (approx. 9.1 miles away); The Log Cabin (approx. 10 miles away); Novato Cemetery (approx. 10.1 miles away).

Photographed by Rover Spotts, January 2, 2026

2. Pioneer Paper Mill Marker

Samuel P. Taylor's first paper mill, Taylorville, Marin County image. Click for full size.

courtesy Marin County Free Library, Anne T. Kent California Room, circa 1889

3. Samuel P. Taylor's first paper mill, Taylorville, Marin County

This photo is from an album documenting a group of friends on an outing at Camp Taylor in Marin County in 1889. Depicted here is Samuel P. Taylor's original paper mill, established in 1856. When the narrow-gauge North Pacific Coast Railroad was completed in 1875 it ran through Camp Taylor (site of Samuel P. Taylor's paper mill) making it a popular destination for excursionists. By 1877 parties were coming from San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area to enjoy the great outdoors. It was one of the first places in the U.S. to offer camping as a recreational activity. - Marin County Free Library

Credits. This page was last revised on January 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 2, 2026, by Rover Spotts of San Francisco, California. This page has been viewed 57 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on January 9, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2. submitted on January 2, 2026, by Rover Spotts of San Francisco, California. 3. submitted on January 7, 2026. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.