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

Claude Chana

Photographed by Karen Key, November 6, 2006

1. Claude Chana Marker (on lower base of statue)

Inscription. Adventurer and first fruit rancher in Placer County. In 1848 he found gold in the Auburn Ravine, which led to the settlement of a mining camp that later became Auburn.

Lord Sholto Douglas Ch. 3
E Clampus Vitus
1975.

Erected 1975 by Lord Sholto Douglas Chapter 3, E Clampus Vitus.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1848.

Location. 38° 53.769′ N, 121° 4.754′ W. Marker is in Auburn, California, in Placer County. It is at the intersection of Washington Street and Park Street, on the right on Washington Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Auburn CA 95603, 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 walking distance of this marker: City of Auburn (a few steps from this marker); The Fire Queen (within shouting distance of this marker); Historical Auburn Fire House (within shouting distance of this marker); Placer County Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); Wells Fargo Express Office – 1852 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Auburn.

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Sculpturer's Plaque (Below Gold Pan) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Karen Key, November 6, 2006

2. Sculpturer's Plaque (Below Gold Pan)

Claude Chana
1811 - 1882
Sculptured by Dr. Kenneth H. Fox

Sculpture of Claude Chana image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Karen Key, November 6, 2006

3. Sculpture of Claude Chana

The marker is on the base, but was cut off in the photo.

Side view of sculpture with Auburn Capitol in Background image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Karen Key, November 6, 2006

4. Side view of sculpture with Auburn Capitol in Background

Claude Chana Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Karen Key, November 6, 2006

5. Claude Chana Marker

Auburn started when Claude Chana found gold near here.
May 16, 1848
Placer County Historical Society

Claude Chana Statue and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 5, 2011

6. Claude Chana Statue and Marker

Photographed by Kevin W., January 29, 2025

7. Claude Chana Marker

View from the lower portion of the display area looking up toward the main marker area.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 14, 2006, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California. This page has been viewed 5,032 times since then and 107 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 14, 2006, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California. 6. submitted on July 3, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 7. submitted on February 11, 2025, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.