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

Sonora Pass – Mono Road

— Mark Twain Bret Harte Trail —

Photographed by Richard Wisehart, March 22, 2008

1. Sonora Pass - Mono Road

Inscription. Toll gate, fine hotel and stables near this spot 1850's. Jedediah Smith reputed to have been first white man to cross over or near Sonora Pass, 1827. Portion of road built by Tuolumne County Water Co., 1852. Surveyed to Bridgeport, Mono County, 1860. Completed 1864 when six horse team took three weeks for round trip, Sonora to Bridgeport.

Erected 1949 by California Centennial Commission with base provided by Sonora Lions Club. (Marker Number 422.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. 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 1827.

Location. 38° 3.668′ N, 120° 11.971′ W. Marker is in Sugarpine, California, in Tuolumne County. It is on Sonora Pass Highway (State Highway 108) 0.1 miles east of Middlecamp Road, on the right when traveling east. Marker is on fire station property immediately east of Kelly's Kitchen Restaurant. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Twain Harte CA 95383, 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 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Chief William Fuller

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(approx. 0.7 miles away); Confidence Mine (approx. 1.2 miles away); Bald Rock Ranch (approx. 2.3 miles away); Sonora Mono Road (approx. 2.7 miles away); Cherokee (approx. 6.2 miles away); Soulsbyville (approx. 6.3 miles away); a different marker also named Soulsbyville (approx. 6.3 miles away); The Joseph Lord House (approx. 6.6 miles away).

Photographed by Richard Wisehart, March 22, 2008

2. Sonora Pass - Mono Road

View is southerly. Highway 108 is in foreground. Sonora is to the right (west); Pinecrest, Sonora Pass, and Highway 395 are to the left (east). Kelly's Kitchen Restaurant is to the right; The Sugarpine Fire Station is to the left.

Photographed by Richard Wisehart, April 18, 2008

3. Union Democrat Newspaper Clipping
This newspaper clipping republished on April 17, 2008, describes the sentiments of Tuolumne County residents in 1897 towards the Sonora and Mono Toll Road owners.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 1, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 4, 2008, by Richard Wisehart of Sonora, California. This page has been viewed 2,729 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 4, 2008, by Richard Wisehart of Sonora, California. 3. submitted on April 18, 2008, by Richard Wisehart of Sonora, California. • Christopher Busta-Peck was the editor who published this page.