Columbia in Tuolumne County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Hildreth Party
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 22, 2012
1. Hildreth Party Marker
of Prospecting Miners
Thadeus Hildreth
George Hildreth
John Walker
Alexander Carson
Billy Jones
John Walker found gold near here on March 27, 1850, which led to the founding of Columbia
Erected 2003.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1860.
Location. 38° 1.969′ N, 120° 24.025′ W. Marker is in Columbia, California, in Tuolumne County. It is at the intersection of Columbia Street and Main Street on Columbia Street. This marker is located in the picnic area at Columbia and Main Streets. It is laid in the ground and not easy to see. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Columbia CA 95310, 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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Scraping the Rocks Clean (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Site of Donnell & Parsons Building (about 400 feet away); Eagle Cotage (about 500 feet away); Columbia Masonic Temple (about 500 feet away); Hon. Jesse M. Mayo (about 600 feet away); A Home for Immigrants (about 600 feet away); Wilson/McConnell House
this page online
Also see . . . Welcome to Columbia, California. Chamber of Commerce website entry:
On March 27, 1850, Dr. Thaddeus Hildreth, with his brother George and a handful of other prospectors, made camp near here. They found gold, and miners streamed in to share the wealth. Before the month was out Hildreth's Diggings, a tent and shanty town housing several thousand miners, was created.
(Submitted on August 27, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 22, 2012
2. Hildreth Party Marker
This small marker is visible on the left side of this view.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 6, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 27, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 794 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 27, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
