Hollister in Santa Clara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Bell Station

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, March 30, 2012

1. Bell Station Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

A toll road was built over Pacheco Pass in 1857 by Andrew D. Firebaugh. Later in that same year he built a tavern near this site, which became a Butterfield transcontinental stage stop. In 1859 the Pacific and Atlantic Company built a telegraph line over the pass and a telegraph station was established here.

Lafayette F. Bell purchased the toll road, stage stop, tavern, and telegraph office for $4,000 in 1863. When a post office was added in 1873, the tavern and stage stop became known as Bell Station.

Bell Station may be the sole remaining name on the California map in which "Station" refers not to a railroad station, but a stage coach station. Dedicated October 19, 1985
In Memory of XSNGH Carl Briggs, 1925-1985.

Erected 1985 by E Clampus Vitus; Monterey Viejo Chapter No. 1846 & Mountain Charlie Chapter No. 1850.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Butterfield Overland Mail, and the E Clampus Vitus series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is October 19, 1777.

Location.

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37° 2.209′ N, 121° 18.65′ W. Marker is in Hollister, California, in Santa Clara County. Marker can be reached from Pacheco Pass Highway (State Highway 152) east of Kaiser Aetna Road (unsigned), on the left when traveling east. The marker is located next to the Bell Station Restaurant. The entrance to the restaurant is off of Kaiser Aetna Road (unsigned), which leads to an entrance of Henry Coe State Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 15100 Pacheco Pass Highway, Hollister CA 95023, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. History of Sluice Mining (approx. 5.2 miles away); Ancient Paths (approx. 5.2 miles away); The Old Adobe of Rancho San Luis Gonzaga (approx. 5.2 miles away); 1843 - Rancho de San Luis Gonzaga - 1931 (approx. 5.2 miles away); Cottage Corners (approx. 12.6 miles away); Hollister Train Service (approx. 13.7 miles away); Site of San Justo Ranch Home (approx. 13.8 miles away); William Clyde "Wino Willie" Forkner, Jr. (approx. 13.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hollister.

More about this marker. The Bell Station Restaurant has been closed for several years. A 'pepper' tree next to the building has over grown and obscured the marker.

Rededication of the Bell Station Marker image. Click for full size.

2. Rededication of the Bell Station Marker

Bell Station Marker lower Marker image. Click for full size.

3. Bell Station Marker lower Marker

Rededicated June 3, 2017/6022 Chapters 1846 & 1850

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, March 30, 2012

4. Bell Station Marker

Bell Station Restaurant, closed image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, March 30, 2012

5. Bell Station Restaurant, closed

The marker is hidden by the tree on the left.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 22, 2017. It was originally submitted on April 1, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,256 times since then and 161 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 1, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 2, 3. submitted on June 19, 2017, by Frank Gunshow Sanchez of Hollister, California. 4, 5. submitted on April 1, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.