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

French Camp

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, April 28, 2013

1. French Camp Marker

Inscription. Established by Charles Maisson and a group of French goldseekers in 1851. Gold discovered in nearby Long Gulch in that year. At one time 300 miners lived here and traded at store, ruins of which are west of this monument. Regular pack trains brought supplies here from Columbia, returning with newly mined gold. The Stanley Family came to ownership of this site in 1956.

Erected 1963 by E Clampus Vitus, Matuca Chapter No. 1849.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1851.

Location. 38° 4.695′ N, 120° 21.817′ W. Marker is near Columbia, California, in Tuolumne County. It can be reached from Forest Service Road 3N15. 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 Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Welcome to Italian Bar (approx. 1.6 miles away); Monitor of Knickerbocker Flat (approx. 1.7 miles away); Columbia Marble Quarry (approx. 3.3 miles away); Columbia Cemetery (approx. 3.3 miles away); Columbia School House (approx. 3.3 miles away); Columbia Masonic Cemetery

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(approx. 3.3 miles away); To Honor the Chinese Pioneers (approx. 3.3 miles away); Charles Crist Kress (approx. 3.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.

More about this marker. This marker is on private property located inside Stanislaus National Forest. This property is approximately 3 1/2 miles, as the crow flies, northeast of Columbia State Park. The nearest public road is Forest Service Road 3N15.

Thanks to Russell Peak and Brian Bradford for providing access to this marker.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, April 28, 2013

2. French Camp Marker

French Camp Store Ruins image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, April 28, 2013

3. French Camp Store Ruins

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,255 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 29, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.