Jackson in Amador County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Botilleas Bordellos
Photographed By Syd Whittle, February 21, 2010
1. Botilleas Bordellos Marker
This plaster casting of the original marker is on display at the Amador County Historical Society Visitor Center at 1 Main Street, Suite A.
It is also reported that another copy of the marker is or was mounted above the bar at the currently closed National Hotel.
flourished 50 yds east of
this plaque for many years
Until this most perfect
example of free enterprise
was padlocked by
unsympathetic
politicians
E.R.E.C.T.I.O.N.S
Erected 1968.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1968.
Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 38° 20.869′ N, 120° 46.351′ W. Marker was in Jackson, California, in Amador County. Marker could be reached from Broadway Street south of Water Street. The marker was embedded in the sidewalk between Water Street and Hwy 88. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 30 Broadway St, Jackson CA 95642, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Jackson Fire Bell (within shouting distance of this marker); V. S. Garbarini, Sr. (within shouting distance of this marker); Masonic Hall & Court House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Old Spring (within shouting distance of this marker); Rocca's Hall, Theatre, Arena (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of 1852 Louisiana House
this page online
More about this marker. E.R.E.C.T.I.O.N.S. is an acronym for: “Environmental Resources Enabling Committee To Investigate Our Necessary Services.”
Regarding Botilleas Bordellos. The marker was originally dedicated on Valentine’s Day, 1968. It was spearheaded by a group of E Clampus-type fun seekers, who were later referred to as “The Filthy Five.” The marker was embedded in the sidewalk in front of what is now the Jackson Branch of the Bank of America. Back in Jackson’s early days, this area of Broadway Street was the home of several “houses” and it was fitting that the marker be placed in this spot.
After a public uproar led by a local church, the “Five”, removed the plaque from the sidewalk in the dead of night . Either they produced plaster castings and bracelets etc. or they commissioned someone else to do so. Thus various firms and bars had a plaster casting of the plaque in their establishments. But only the “Five” and their confidants
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein
2. Another Plaster Cast Replica!
This replica hangs above the bar inside the Whiskey Flat Saloon next to the St. George Hotel in Volcano, Amador County, California.
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Not long after 1968 the “Five” tried to replace the plaque and had the offensive "ERECTIONS" acronym removed and a new acronym added. But after that heart operation they decided not to implant it.
Several years ago, a member of the “Five” was persuaded to donate the original plaque to the Amador County Museum with papers attesting to its legitimacy but with a new acronym. The original is still in possession of the County of Amador and is being stored at their museum for safe keeping.
The marker seen in the window of the Amador County Historical Society’s Visitor Center is a plaster casting of the original.
Source: Larry Cenotto, Retired Amador County Archivist - Amador County Historical Society.
Additional commentary.
1. At a flea market
I found a marker like this at a flea market, I do not know if it is a reproduction, or the missing marker I read about on this web site.
Editors note: Without more info you have to assume it is a reproduction. The story we have is that the original is stored at the historical society.
— Submitted May 25, 2016, by Mark B Hansen of Merced, California.
2. I have the plaque shown
Photographed By Syd Whittle, June 13, 2010
3. Original Site of the Marker
On the sidewalk in front of what is now the Jackson Branch of the Bank of America.
From my understanding the so called original that's stored at the Amador County Museum isn't actually the original with the "ERECTIONS" acronym.
After reading more about it I'm of the opinion that the true original was never recovered. Your story states the donated plaque had a new acronym. So how could it be the original?
Editor's Note: I believe the commentary by Larry Cenotto indicates that the Filthy Five tried (and failed) to replace the plaque on the sidewalk with one with a different acronym. The original, bearing the original acronym was given to the historical society. But in Photo No 1 the historical society is displaying a plaster cast. For all the internet knows, perhaps you have the original. Note To Editor only visible by Contributor and editor
— Submitted December 29, 2021, by Cassandra Ally of Hesperia, California.
Amador Historical Society, Feb. 1968
4. The "Filthy Five" at the dedication of the Botilleas Bordellos Marker
Photographed By Cassandra Ally, December 28, 2021
5. Botilleas Bordellos Marker
This marker is heavy metal, not a plaster reproduction. It was obtained in Signal Hill, California.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 18, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 30, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,061 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 30, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 2. submitted on July 11, 2008, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 3. submitted on June 13, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 4. submitted on May 14, 2011. 5. submitted on December 29, 2021, by Cassandra Ally of Hesperia, California.
