Near Chinese Camp in Tuolumne County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Old Crimea House

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, March 1, 2012

1. Old Crimea House Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Built in 1853 by James W. Kerrick. Having come over the emigrant trail, to Keystone District with nine covered wagons. This place originally housed a restaurant, bar rooms and stables. Located on the main road from San Joaquin and Bay Region into the Southern Mines sector and chief station for freight.
On Sept. 26, 1856 the Great Tongs War fought near by 2100 Chinese.
Burned down on Oct. 8, 1949.
The last historic landmark in Keystone District.

Erected 1990 by E Clampus Vitus, Matuca Chapter 1849.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1892.

Location. 37° 49.958′ N, 120° 28.699′ W. Marker is near Chinese Camp, California, in Tuolumne County. Marker is on Red Hill Road just east of La Grange Road, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chinese Camp CA 95309, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

as the crow flies. Green Springs (approx. 1.6 miles away); To Honor Eddie Webb (approx. 3.7 miles away); Chinese Camp (approx. 3.7 miles away); Jacksonville (approx. 5.4 miles away); Don Pedro Lake (approx. 5.4 miles away); Montezuma (approx. 5½ miles away); O'Bryne Ferry (approx. 6.9 miles away); a different marker also named Jacksonville (approx. 7.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chinese Camp.

Also see . . .
1. California State Highway 49: The Golden Chain. (Submitted on March 10, 2014, by James King of San Miguel, California.)
2. The Big Oak Flat Road (1955) by Irene D. Paden and Margaret E. Schlichtmann. This attributes Crimea House to a totally different person, and the other information is very interesting - (Submitted on March 10, 2014, by James King of San Miguel, California.)

3. James Kerrick. On this page is the only picture that I can find of the Old Crimea House. (Submitted on March 10, 2014, by James King of San Miguel, California.)

4. Chinese Camp. California Ghost Towns entry (Submitted on September 9, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Additional commentary.
1. The Tong War of 1856
Tensions between the Tuolumne County Sam Yap Company and the Calaveras County Yan Wo Company, both headquartered near Chinese Camp erupted in violence.
In the Columbia Gazette of October 1856 a comment directed toward the Yan Wo by the Sam Yap stated “There are a great many now existing

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, March 1, 2012

2. Old Crimea House Marker

in the world who ought to be exterminated.” An estimated 2500 men fought in the battle that followed. Most were armed in traditional fashion, carrying long pikes, butcher’s knives, and tridents. The Sam Yap Company had purchased 150 muskets and bayonets in San Francisco in preparation for the confrontation and after a hundred rounds or so The Yan Wo clan were forced to retreat.
Surprisingly there were only 4 fatalities were recorded.
Source: History of Tuolumne County-www.tonykrieg.com/History-of-Tuolumne-County-CA.html

— Submitted March 7, 2012.

Across the Road image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James King, March 9, 2014

3. Across the Road

An old foundation (center) and an old stone corral (beyond and to the right).

Credits. This page was last revised on September 9, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 7, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,890 times since then and 112 times this year. Last updated on March 8, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 7, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 3. submitted on March 10, 2014, by James King of San Miguel, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.