Camptonville in Yuba County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Lester Allen Pelton
Photographed by Cory Waters, May 11, 2026
1. Lester Allen Pelton Marker
Lester Allen Pelton
Invented the Pelton Water Wheel
Erected 1929 by Gravel Range Lodge No.59-Free and Accepted Masons, and Wm. Bull Meek - Wm. Morris Stewart Chapter 10, E Clampus Vitus-May 4, 1974.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the ASCE Civil Engineering Landmarks, and the E Clampus Vitus series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1878.
Location. 39° 27.12′ N, 121° 3.067′ W. Marker is in Camptonville, California, in Yuba County. It is on Cleveland Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located in a small town square at the entrance to the town. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 15265 Cleveland Avenue, Camptonville CA 95922, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in California’s Sacramento Metro, in Sacramento Valley, and specifically in the Central Valley. 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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Acton Meek Cleveland (here, next to this marker); Robert Campton (here, next to this marker); William Bull Meek / ECV Redivivus (here, next to this marker); Mountain Range Lodge No. 18, F. & A. M. (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); William Bull Meek (approx. 0.2 miles away);
this page online
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. The manufacturing site of the Pelton Water Wheel in Nevada City, California.
Also see . . . The Pelton Water Wheel. Lester Pelton was born in 1829 in Vermillion, Ohio, on the shores of Lake Erie. In 1850 he joined the influx of gold seekers to California. (Submitted on January 20, 2011.)
Photographed by Cory Waters, May 11, 2026
2. Lester Allen Pelton marker and monument
Photographed by Syd Whittle, January 19, 2011
3. Lester Allen Pelton Marker
The E Clampus Vitus dedication plaque is mounted on the right side of the monument.
Photographed by Syd Whittle, January 19, 2011
4. Lester Allen Pelton Monument
A replica of the water wheel is mounted at the top of the monument and two buckets are displayed at the bottom.
Photographed by Syd Whittle, January 19, 2011
5. Buckets Displayed at the Bottom of the Monument
Photographed by Syd Whittle, January 19, 2011
6. Pelton Impulse Water Wheel
This site was designated as a
National Historic
Civil Engineering Landmark
by the American Society of Civil Engineers in 1973.
Plaque is mounted on the right side of the monument.
Civil Engineering Landmark
Plaque is mounted on the right side of the monument.
Photographed by Syd Whittle, January 19, 2011
7. Lester Allen Pelton Water Wheel Monument
The monument is seen on the far left of this small town square.
Photographed by Syd Whittle, January 19, 2011
8. Lester Allen Pelton Monument
This view is from across Cleveland Avenue looking North. The town jail sits behind the monument.
Photographed by Eastman's Studio, Susanville, Ca
9. North Star Mine, Grass Valley, Calif.
Description on postcard:
This giant Pelton wheel, 30 ft. in diameter, has been partially preserved to become part of a mining museum. Probably the world's largest Pelton wheel it was used to compress air for operation of the North Star Mine - deepest of the Grass Valley mines - which reached a vertical depth of 4000 ft.
This giant Pelton wheel, 30 ft. in diameter, has been partially preserved to become part of a mining museum. Probably the world's largest Pelton wheel it was used to compress air for operation of the North Star Mine - deepest of the Grass Valley mines - which reached a vertical depth of 4000 ft.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 20, 2011, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,433 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 14, 2026, by Cory Waters of Bangor, California. 2. submitted on May 11, 2026, by Cory Waters of Bangor, California. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on January 20, 2011, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 9. submitted on October 22, 2010.
