Near Snelling in Merced County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Merced Falls

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 20, 2011

1. Merced Falls Marker

Inscription.
First known as California Ranche Crossing, then as Belt’s Ferry. The site of a large Indian Rancheria. The Post Office at Merced Falls opened Sept. 4. 1856. The flour and woolen mills were built in 1854 and 1867. The town was destroyed by fire in August 1895. Yosemite Lumber Co. had a large mill here from 1912 until 1943.

Erected 1970 by E Clampus Vitus, Estanislao Chapter No. 58.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical month for this entry is August 1895.

Location. 37° 31.417′ N, 120° 19.794′ W. Marker is near Snelling, California, in Merced County. It is on Merced Falls Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8525 Merced Falls Road, Snelling CA 95369, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the San Joaquin Valley

and specifically in the Central Valley.

It is also on the American 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 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Cavagnaro General Store (approx. 5.2 miles away); Hornitos (approx. 5.2 miles away); a different marker also named Hornitos (approx. 5.2 miles away); D. Ghirardelli & Co. (approx. 5.2

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miles away); a different marker also named Hornitos (approx. 5.2 miles away); Old Wells Fargo Office (approx. 5.2 miles away); The Plaza Adobe (approx. 5.3 miles away); Hornitos Masonic Hall (approx. 5.3 miles away).

Also see . . . Merced Falls- A Ghost Town with a Great Story. Merced Falls Events website entry (Submitted on February 16, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 20, 2011

2. Merced Falls Marker

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 20, 2011

3. Merced Falls Marker

Nearby Lake McSwan Reservoir image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 20, 2011

4. Nearby Lake McSwan Reservoir

Credits. This page was last revised on May 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 9, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 2,083 times since then and 73 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 9, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.