La Porte in Plumas County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Cleve O’Rourke Memorial Stampmill

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 29, 2012

1. Cleve O’Rourke Memorial Stampmill Marker

Inscription. This mill was built in 1911 and used to crush ore at the Hewitt Brothers Mine on Hopkins Creek. It was powered by a steam engine and a pelton water wheel. It was discovered by Fred and Janet Miles in 1978 and brought to La Porte by members of E Clampus Vitus under direction of A.G. Brown, Dick O’Rourke, Jim Morris, and Mary Bredemann, with the help of the Soper Wheeler Company and the U.S. Forest Service. It was dedicated July 18, 1981 to the memory of Cleve O’Rourke, early community leader, humanitarian and public benefactor.

Erected 1985 by E Clampus Vitus, Frank C. Reilly Chapter No. 5978.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 18, 1862.

Location. 39° 40.967′ N, 120° 59.044′ W. Marker is in La Porte, California, in Plumas County. Marker is on Main Street east of Church Street, on the right when traveling east. The marker is located in front of the Frank C. Reilly Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1875 Main Street, Strawberry Valley CA 95981, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Frank D. Everts (a few steps from this marker); John Conly & Co. Bankers (a few steps from this marker);

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Fuller & Buell (within shouting distance of this marker); Rabbit Creek House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Union Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); La Porte’s Chinese Community (within shouting distance of this marker); Reilly’s Saloon (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Emigrant Trail (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in La Porte.

Additional commentary.
1. Stampmill and Museum
My grandfather was Jim Morris and Dick O'Rourke was our neighbor in Laporte. Sadly both are gone now as is Dick's house, lost to a fire.

I was there the day they broke ground for the museum and my father Allen McBride helped build the museum building. When digging the foundations a large amount of champagne, whiskey and blob top beer bottles were uncovered. About 100 years previous it was the location of one of the original saloons in La Porte.

Note from the Editors: Thank you for your comments. If you have any additional photos of the nearby markers or area we would gladly consider
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 29, 2012

2. Cleve O’Rourke Memorial Stampmill and Marker
publishing them here or on associated pages of HMdb.org.

— Submitted October 18, 2021.

Frank C. Reilly Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 29, 2012

3. Frank C. Reilly Museum

Credits. This page was last revised on November 22, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 12, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 707 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 12, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.