Pollock Pines in El Dorado County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Bullion Bend Robbery

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, November 20, 2024

1. Bullion Bend Robbery Marker

Inscription. On June 30, 1864, two Pioneer Line coaches were stopped at gunpoint on the Pony Express Trail at a sharp bend on the trail forever to be known as Bullion Bend in Pollock Pines. Both coaches were robbed by a band of Confederate irregulars, all members of a secret society known as the Knights of the Golden Circle. The spoils from the robbery were to be used to recruit soldiers in California for the Confederate Army. Hours after the holdup, El Dorado County Deputy Sheriff, Joseph Staples, became the first officer in this county’s history to die in the line of duty. He was killed in the gunfight at the Somerset House while attempting to arrest the men responsible for the infamous Bullion Bend Robbery.

Historian: Anthony M. Belli

Erected by Sponsored by the El Dorado Savings Bank.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Events. A significant historical date for this entry is June 30, 1864.

Location. 38° 45.767′ N, 120° 34.68′ W. Marker is in Pollock Pines, California, in El Dorado County. It is at the intersection of Pony Express Trail (Lincoln Highway) and Forebay Road, on the right when traveling east

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

on Pony Express Trail (Lincoln Highway). The marker is located at the Northwest corner of the Safeway parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6498 Pony Express Trail, Pollock Pines CA 95726, 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 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Logging in El Dorado County (here, next to this marker); The California Gold Rush (here, next to this marker); The Mormon Emigrant Trail (here, next to this marker); The Miwok and Maidu Peoples (here, next to this marker); Johnson Cutoff - Took the Hangtown Road (within shouting distance of this marker); In Memory of the Bravery of Our Pioneer Officers

Original Bullion Bend Robbery Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, May 14, 2016

2. Original Bullion Bend Robbery Marker

(approx. 0.9 miles away); Carson Trail - To Pleasant Valley (approx. 1.6 miles away); Carson Trail - Junction (approx. 1.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pollock Pines.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Pony Express (was here, next to this marker but has been confirmed missing).

Regarding Bullion Bend Robbery. This marker is placed at a six-sided kiosk having six markers and paintings depicting the events described on the markers. Two of the markers are missing.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.

Also see . . . The Bullion Bend Robbery: El Dorado County’s infamous stagecoach robbery. Calexplorer website entry (Submitted on April 13, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Photographed by Syd Whittle, May 14, 2016

3. Bullion Bend Robbery Marker

Below a painting depicting the event.

Bullion Bend Robbery Marker, Painting and Kiosk image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, May 14, 2016

4. Bullion Bend Robbery Marker, Painting and Kiosk

This marker is seen on the right. The nearby marker "Logging in El Dorado County" is on the left.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, May 14, 2016

5. The Kiosk

Credits. This page was last revised on April 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 14, 2016, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 4,254 times since then and 178 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 28, 2024, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 14, 2016, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.