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

Prosper Rocher Brewery

Photographed by Denise Boose, May 29, 2016

1. Prosper Rocher Brewery Marker

Inscription. In 1856 Prosper Rocher constructed Columbia's second brewery located one-half mile east of town on the north side of Yankee Hill Road. Rocher, a French physician, was first partners with Anton Bixel in the Columbia Brewery on Italian Bar Road. Rocher's brewery business failed and by 1861 the brick building was dismantled, leaving only the basement depression and stone foundation visible today.

Dedicated by
Matuca Chapter 1849
E Clampus Vitus
September 11, 1993 (5998)
Credo Quia Absurdum

Erected 1993 by Matuca Chapter , E Clampus Vitus.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1864.

Location. 38° 2.144′ N, 120° 23.95′ W. Marker is in Columbia, California, in Tuolumne County. It is on Jackson Street 0 miles Columbia Street, on the right when traveling east. 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 walking distance of this marker: A Bountiful Place to Live (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Cosmopolitan Society (about 300 feet away); The Burns Cottage

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(about 300 feet away); Bixel Brewery (about 400 feet away); Claverie Building (about 400 feet away); Wilson/McConnell House (about 500 feet away); Water, Precious as Gold (about 500 feet away); A Home for Immigrants (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.

More about this marker. The "5998" is the Clamper calendar year, equating to 1993. The graphic in the lower right of the marker is a representation of the 3-county area for the Clamper chapter. Matuca = MAriposa-TUolumne-CAlaveras.

Regarding Prosper Rocher Brewery. B.F. Alley's 1882 A History, Tuolumne County, California, Compiled from the Most Authentic Records notes in passing in the section discussing social progress in Columbia that the Columbia Brewery and Syrup Manufactory, owned by P. Rocher and Company, had advertised in the Columbia Gazette in February, 1854. This, then, would be the first brewery in Columbia, alluded to in the second sentence of the marker. The fire of July 10, 1854 destroyed most of Columbia, including this first brewery. The site of the second brewery, built 1856,

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 26, 2008

2. Prosper Rocher Brewery Marker

is actually much further from this marker than the site of the first brewery, which would have been less than 4 blocks away.

Additional keywords. beer

Credits. This page was last revised on November 22, 2017. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2008, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 1,663 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 6, 2017, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. 2. submitted on June 27, 2008, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • Christopher Busta-Peck was the editor who published this page.