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

Historic La Grange

Photographed by Michael Kindig, May 22, 2016

1. Historic La Grange Marker

Inscription. The township of La Grange, French for "The Barn," was established in 1852 near the Tuolumne River. By 1853 French, Chinese, Mexicans, Spanish and Americans were here to mine gold, farm and ranch. About 5,000 people lived in the area. In 1854 Stanislaus County was formed and La Grange was the county seat from 1856 to 1862. It is the only area in the eleven western states to have used all four types of gold mining. Today La Grange is zoned "historic," dedicated to preserving its history. The Inmon Trading Post, built in 1850, houses the local museum, organized in 1989. Close by is the adobe barn and stable, 1850, and the rustic jail, 1856. Above town the St. Louis Mission, 1854, holds mass and maintains its cemetery. Across the street the old school house, 1875, is located in a county park near the citizens cemetery. Below these on Main Street, Hwy 132, is the 1857 IOOF Hall, home to Odd Fellows and Rebekahs. On down Main Street find the 1897 saloon and the 1878 general store. Up river from town is La Grange Dam, tallest overflow dam in the world when built in 1893. Each year the La Grange rodeo, organized in 1948, attracts

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thousands of fans the first Sunday in April. La Grange Improvement Association began in 1974, continues to represent community interests.

Erected 2013 by La Grange Improvement Association.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1852.

Location. 37° 39.807′ N, 120° 28.283′ W. Marker is in La Grange, California, in Stanislaus County. It is at the intersection of La Grange Road and Yosemite Boulevard (California Route 132), on the right on La Grange Road. 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,

on 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

Dedication Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, May 22, 2016

2. Dedication Plaque

Erected by
Estanislao
Chapter 58
E Clampus Vitus

least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: LaFayette Historical Lodge #65 (approx. 0.4 miles away); La Grange Saloon (approx. half a mile away); The Old La Grange Schoolhouse (approx. half a mile away); Saint Louis Mission (approx. 0.6 miles away); La Grange (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named La Grange (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Trading Post (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Old Barn – First Adobe Building (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in La Grange.

Also see . . . The Board of Supervisors of the County of Stanislaus Action Agenda Summary. The La Grange Improvement Association has worked with E Clampus Vitus to design and fund construction of a new permanent Gateway Monument and Historical Marker at the northeast corner of Yosemite Boulevard (SR 132) and La Grange Road (J-59.) The proposed sign would consist of a steel metal archway across two steel columns 16' 5" tall and 18' 3" wide designating "Historic La Grange Est. 1848." The gateway would also list ten historical points of interest, five on each column, and would include a historical plaque

Gateway Monument and Historical Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, May 22, 2016

3. Gateway Monument and Historical Marker

on a concrete base, as shown in Exhibit 1. The proposed gateway monument will replace an original sign structure at the same location which had fallen into disrepair. (Submitted on May 24, 2016, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California.)

Gateway Monument [right-hand side] image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, May 22, 2016

4. Gateway Monument [right-hand side]

General Store
Saloon
Rodeo Assn
Museum
Improvement Assn

Gateway Monument [left-hand side] image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, May 22, 2016

5. Gateway Monument [left-hand side]

Adobe Barn
Trading Post
IOOF Hall
School House
St. Louis Mission

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 23, 2016, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. This page has been viewed 1,188 times since then and 68 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 23, 2016, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.