Downieville in Sierra County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Henness Pass Road - Downieville

— California Trail —

Photographed by Alvis Hendley, October 7, 2016

1. Henness Pass Road - Downieville Marker

Inscription. "Went to Downieville, called one of the smartest mining towns in the country, containing some 4, or 5,000 inhabitants, buildings in the business part of town are very well built a great deal of business is done" - Winslow Blake, Aug 25, 1852

Erected 2015 by Trails West Inc. (Marker Number HP-11.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the California Trail, the Henness Pass, and the Trails West Inc. series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is August 25, 1852.

Location. 39° 33.601′ N, 120° 49.742′ W. Marker is in Downieville, California, in Sierra County. It is at the intersection of Main Street and Nevada Street, on the right when traveling east on Main Street. The marker is in a parking lot on the southeast corner of Main Street and Nevada Street. The marker is at the entrance to the small park on the right bank of the Downie River. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 116 Main Street, Downieville CA 95936, 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: Hirshfeldter Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Downieville Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Craycroft Building

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Downieville Historic Riverfront District (about 300 feet away); In Memory of Juanita (about 300 feet away); St. Charles Hotel (about 300 feet away); The Shooting of Thaddeus Purdy (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Downieville Historic Riverfront District (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Downieville.

Photographed by Alvis Hendley, October 6, 2016

2. Henness Pass Road - Downieville Marker

The gazebo is located in a small park on the right bank of the Downie River. There is a light dusting of snow on the grass.

Photographed by Cory Waters, October 21, 2025

3. Henness Pass Road - Downieville Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 15, 2016, by Alvis Hendley of San Francisco, California. This page has been viewed 556 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 15, 2016, by Alvis Hendley of San Francisco, California. 3. submitted on October 21, 2025, by Cory Waters of Bangor, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.