Downieville in Sierra County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Arrastra
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 2, 2013
1. Arrarstra Marker
This is a one to six scale model of an
Arrastra, which was operated in Sierra City
on the Kane Flat near the present Hayes Home.
It was located in the famous Sierra Buttes
Quartz Mine near the site of the Great 40
Stamp Mill.
Arrastras were used to crush and grind
gold ore and to grind even more finely the
tailings from stamp mills. Some Arrastras
consisted of huge wheel shaped stone which
rolled over the ore to crush and grind it.
This model was developed from a photo-
graph of the actual Arrastra. It was built in
1954, by the boys shop class of Downieville
High School under James J. Sinnott as principal
and teacher. This Arrastra was part of the
Sierra County Exhibit in the 1956 California
State Fair.
Erected 2001 by E Clampus Vitus, Major William Downie Chapter No. 1849.
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 year for this entry is 1954.
Location. 39° 33.633′ N, 120° 49.637′ W. Marker is in Downieville, California, in Sierra County. It is on Main Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 330 Main Street, Downieville CA 95936, United States of America. Touch for directions.
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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: Downieville Museum (here, next to this marker); Josefa Segovia (within shouting distance of this marker); Downieville (within shouting distance of this marker); Mackerman & Company Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Downieville Historic Riverfront District (within shouting distance of this marker); The Shooting of Thaddeus Purdy (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Charles Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Craycroft Building (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Downieville.
More about this marker. This marker and the arrastra model is located in front of the Downieville Museum.
Photographed by Frank Gunshow Sanchez, August 25, 2017
2. Arrastra Marker
Refurbished and rededicated April, 2001.
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 2, 2013
3. Arrastra Marker
Photographed by Frank Gunshow Sanchez, August 26, 2017
4. Arrastra and Downieville Museum Markers
Credits. This page was last revised on August 29, 2017. It was originally submitted on June 14, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 817 times since then and 20 times this year. Last updated on June 26, 2013. Photos: 1. submitted on June 14, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 2. submitted on August 28, 2017, by Frank Gunshow Sanchez of Hollister, California. 3. submitted on June 14, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 4. submitted on August 28, 2017, by Frank Gunshow Sanchez of Hollister, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
