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

Parrott’s Ferry

— Mark Twain Bret Harte Trail —

Photographed by Richard Wisehart, March 21, 2008

1. Mark Twain Bret Harte Trail ~ Parrott's Ferry Marker

Inscription. Site of ferry crossing established 1860 by Thomas H. Parrott connecting mining towns of Tuttletown and Vallecito. Ferry in operation until 1903 when first bridge built. Ferry boat of flat bottom wooden construction propelled on heavy cables. Cable anchorage in large boulder Calaveras side of river still visible (1949) at low water, sandbag dam built to form small lake.

Erected 1949 by California Centennial Commission with base provided by Aronos Research Club of Sonora. (Marker Number 438.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the Mark Twain Bret Harte Trail series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.

Location. 38° 2.371′ N, 120° 27.385′ W. Marker is near Columbia, California, in Tuolumne County. It is on Parrotts Ferry Road (County Highway E18) 6.9 miles State Highway 49, on the left when traveling north. Marker is approximately 5 miles north of the town of Columbia, on the north side of the bridge that crosses New Melones Reservoir. 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 3 miles of this marker

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, measured as the crow flies: Inspiration Point (approx. half a mile away); Columbia Marble Quarry (approx. 2.4 miles away); Springfield Cemetery (approx. 2½ miles away); Springfield (approx. 2.7 miles away); Archie Stevenot (approx. 2.9 miles away); Carson Hill (approx. 2.9 miles away); James H. Carson (approx. 2.9 miles away); Columbia (approx. 2.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.

Regarding Parrott’s Ferry. Cable anchorage boulder that was visible in 1949 is now submerged by New Melones Reservoir.

<i>Parrott's Ferry</i> area and Mark Twain Bret Harte Trail Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard Wisehart, March 21, 2008

2. Parrott's Ferry area and Mark Twain Bret Harte Trail Marker

View is westerly. New Melones Reservoir lies immediately south (left). The town of Columbia is approximately 5.0 miles south (left); the town of Vallecitos is approximately 5.0 miles north (right).

<i> New Melones Reservoir image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard Wisehart, March 21, 2008

3. New Melones Reservoir

Reservoir, filled in the 1970's, inundates the site of Thomas Parrott's ferry crossing of the Stanislaus River. View is easterly, up river.

Photographed by Richard Wisehart, March 21, 2008

4. Parrott's Ferry Bridge
Bridge spans New Melones Reservoir at site of Thomas Parrott's ferry crossing of the Stanislaus River. View is southerly, towards town of Columbia.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 2, 2008, by Richard Wisehart of Sonora, California. This page has been viewed 3,283 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 2, 2008, by Richard Wisehart of Sonora, California. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.