Near Foresthill in Placer County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Old Joe

Photographed by Karen Key, October 29, 2006

1. Old Joe Marker

Inscription. On the day of July 3, 1901 a stagecoach, driven by Henry Crockett, was on its way to the town of Foresthill when a hooded man appeared with a shotgun and ordered Crockett to stop, to which he replied, “You are only foolin.” At that the robber shot and killed the wheel horse known as “Old Joe.” He then robbed the stage and its passengers. Although the robber was later identified as Henry Wise, he was never captured. This plaque and monument replaces the wooden sign that was put at this site by Auburn Parlor No. 59.

Dedicated in
truth, liberty and toleration
July 3, 2001

by the
Grand Parlor, Native Sons of the Golden West
William E. Hargis, Grand President

Erected 2001 by Grand Parlor, Native Sons of the Golden West.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 3, 1901.

Location. 38° 59.479′

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N, 120° 55.528′ W. Marker is near Foresthill, California, in Placer County. It is on Foresthill Divide Road near between Foresthill and Auburn, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Foresthill CA 95631, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Sacramento Metro,

in the Sierra Nevada,

and in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

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 5 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Old Four Fingers (approx. ¼ mile away); First Mining Ditch (approx. 4.3 miles away); Yankee Jim's (approx. 4.3 miles away); Olivers (approx. 5.3 miles away); Forest Hill (approx. 6.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Foresthill.

Also see . . . Along Stagecoach Line, Hero Is A Horse. Cindy Carpien’s story on Old Joe, broadcast July 23, 2011, on NPR’s Weekend Edition Saturday. (Submitted on July 23, 2011.)

Adjacent Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Karen Key, October 29, 2006

2. Adjacent Marker

Old Joe — Stage horse shot by stage robber. July 3, 1901.

Old Joe Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Karen Key, October 29, 2006

3. Old Joe Markers

The Original "Old Joe" Marker, on exhibit in the Foresthill Divide Museum. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 5, 2011

4. The Original "Old Joe" Marker, on exhibit in the Foresthill Divide Museum.

Old Joe, a stage horse, was shot by a stage robber, July 3, 1901. Henry Crocket was stage driver, and when ordered to stop, said, "You are only fooling." At that, Old Joe was shot and the stage was robbed. The robber turned out to be Henry Wise and was never heard of again. Erected by Auburn Parlor #59, N.S.G.W.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 9, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 7, 2006, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California. This page has been viewed 75,710 times since then and 282 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 7, 2006, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California. 4. submitted on July 2, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.