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

Port Wine

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, May 29, 2012

1. Port Wine Marker

Inscription. Port Wine had its beginning in early 1850. By 1851 surface mining had declined, but hydraulic mining instilled new life into the area. Port Wine was described as a religious and sober town in 1863. There was a post office and Wells Fargo Express building in town. Port Wine had an active ski or “snow shoe” racing club, and competed against other mining towns in the area.

Please help protect your American Heritage
On lands administered by the Forest Service, it is unlawful to excavate, remove, disturb, deface or destroy any historic building, ruin, site, artifact, or object, or to collect, appropriate, excavate, damage, disturb, or destroy historic artifacts. Violators are subject to arrest. Conviction can carry criminal penalties up to two years in prison and/or $500,000 in fine.
...Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979

Erected by US Forest Service, Plumas National Forest.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.

Location. 39° 39.637′ N, 120° 56.995′ W. Marker is near La Porte, California, in Plumas County. It is on Port Wine Ridge Road (County Route

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690). Marker is located in the Plumas National Forest. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Strawberry Valley CA 95981, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Shasta Cascade

and in the Sierra Nevada.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

in the Cascade Range,

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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Benjamin W. Barnes (approx. 2.2 miles away); “Quick Silver Charley” (approx. 2.2 miles away); La Porte’s Chinese Community (approx. 2.3 miles away); Fuller & Buell (approx. 2.4 miles away); Reilly’s Saloon (approx. 2.4 miles away); Frank D. Everts (approx. 2.4 miles away); Cleve O’Rourke Memorial Stampmill (approx. 2.4 miles away); John Conly & Co. Bankers (approx. 2.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in La Porte.

More about this marker. The Port Wine marker was found by following the directions in the US Forest Service pamphlet Auto Tour of Historic Sites on the Plumas National Forest which says:
"From the La Porte Cemetery reset your odometer and proceed on Church Street which will turn into County
Road 791 (a gravel road) outside of the town of La Porte. Go 1.8 miles to the Slate Creek bridge. Cross the bridge and travel 2.0 miles to a "T" intersection with County Road 690. Turn Right and go 1.6 miles to the Port Wine sign."
Some faith in the instructions may be required as none of the roads have signs.
The Auto Tour also leads to the towns

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, May 29, 2012

2. Port Wine Marker

of St. Louis, Howland Flat, Poker Flat (of Bret Harte fame) and Gibsonville. The road to Poker Flat requires a high clearance, 4WD vehicle and was not attempted. The signs for St. Louis, Howland Flat and Gibsonville are missing.

Signs of Hydraulic Mining at Port Wine image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, May 29, 2012

3. Signs of Hydraulic Mining at Port Wine

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, May 29, 2012

4. Signs of Hydraulic Mining at Port Wine

Slate Creek Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, May 30, 2012

5. Slate Creek Bridge

Howland Flat image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, May 29, 2012

6. Howland Flat

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, May 29, 2012

7. Howland Flat

Howland Flat Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, May 29, 2012

8. Howland Flat Cemetery

Credits. This page was last revised on November 14, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,221 times since then and 75 times this year. Last updated on June 21, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on June 15, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.