Near Twain Harte in Tuolumne County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Confidence Mine

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, October 21, 2011

1. Confidence Mine Marker

Inscription. Discovered in 1853, Confidence Mine became one of California’s richest gold mines. It was developed by the pioneer stage owner and pony express man Ben Holladay. An incline shaft of 1,000’ was sunk and off that a 2,000’ horizontal shaft hit the best paydirt. At it’s climax the mine employed a 40 stamp mill. It’s ore averaged better than $20 per ton. Total take of the mine was conservatively place at $3,500,000 and some say it was more like $5,000,000. The mine supported the town of Confidence which included a Hotel, Dance Hall, Saloon, General Store, Butcher Shop, Post Office and School. Nearby the mine were the Mary Ellen, Independence, Little Jessie and Playboy, all good producers of high quality ore.

Erected 1989 by E Clampus Vitus, Matuca Chapter No. 1849.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.

Location. 38° 2.719′ N, 120° 12.448′ W. Marker is near Twain Harte, California, in Tuolumne County. It is at the intersection

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of Sonora Pass Highway (State Highway 108) and Confidence Road, on the left when traveling east on Sonora Pass Highway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3370 Highway 108, Twain Harte CA 95383, 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 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Sonora Pass – Mono Road (approx. 1.2 miles away); Bald Rock Ranch (approx. 1.3 miles away); Sonora Mono Road (approx. 1.6 miles away); Chief William Fuller (approx. 1.8 miles away); Cherokee (approx. 5 miles away); Soulsbyville (approx. 5.2 miles away); a different marker also named Soulsbyville (approx. 5.2 miles away); The Joseph Lord House (approx. 5.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, October 21, 2011

2. Confidence Mine Marker

Twain Harte.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 27, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 2,237 times since then and 156 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 27, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.