Near La Grange in Stanislaus County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Tuolumne Gold Dredge

Photographed by Richard Wisehart, April 19, 2008

1. Tuolumne Gold Dredge Marker

Inscription. Behind this monument rests the historic Tuolumne Gold Dredge which started operation at Patricksville, just east of this location, on June 15, 1938. A Walter Johnson No. 52 Model, it floated on a self-created pond of water. It was larger than a football field, weighed over 2500 tons, and cost $543,148 to construct. The dredge used electricity to drive 120 4000 lb. buckets 70 ft. deep to recover gold. It ceased operation in July 1951. The total amount of gold recovered is unknown.

Erected 1998 by Estanislao Chapter No. 58, E Clampus Vitus.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1911.

Location. 37° 38.203′ N, 120° 28.283′ W. Marker is near La Grange, California, in Stanislaus County. It is on County Route J59 2 miles south of California Highway 132, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: La Grange CA 95329, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the San Joaquin Valley

and specifically in the Central Valley.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: La Grange Gold Dredge Co. Camp (approx. 1.4 miles away); The Old La Grange Schoolhouse (approx. 1.8 miles

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

away); Historic La Grange (approx. 1.8 miles away); Saint Louis Mission (approx. 1.9 miles away); LaFayette Historical Lodge #65 (approx. 1.9 miles away); La Grange Saloon (approx. 1.9 miles away); The Trading Post (approx. 2 miles away); The Old Jail (approx. 2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in La Grange.

Regarding Tuolumne Gold Dredge. The dredge is listed in the National Register of Historical Places as Structure #71000208. It is located on private property and in the 1980's the owner of the property sold a portion of the dredge to a buyer who moved that portion to Australia.

Tuolumne Gold Dredge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard Wisehart, April 19, 2008

2. Tuolumne Gold Dredge

View is westerly of marker, on the edge of the road, and dredge in the background behind the marker. County Route J59 is in foreground. The town of La Grange is approximately 3 miles to the right (north). The town of Snelling is to the left (south).

Photographed by Richard Wisehart, April 19, 2008

3. Gold Dredge

Remaining portion of dredge is in background. Piles of dredged cobbles can be seen in foreground.

Photographed by Quentin Robert Noble, circa 2010

4. Tuolumne Gold Dredge

Photographed by Quentin Robert Noble, circa 2010

5. Tuolumne Gold Dredge

Tuolumne Gold Dredge Buckets image. Click for full size.

May 19, 2011

6. Tuolumne Gold Dredge Buckets

These buckets from the Tuolumne Gold Dredge are on display at the La Grange Historic Park in the nearby community of La Grange.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 18, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 24, 2008, by Richard Wisehart of Sonora, California. This page has been viewed 9,350 times since then and 114 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 24, 2008, by Richard Wisehart of Sonora, California. 4, 5. submitted on May 13, 2010, by Quentin Robert Noble of Modesto, California. 6. submitted on May 20, 2011. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.