Robert Bell's Store

Photographed by Syd Whittle, October 7, 2008

1. Robert Bell's Store Marker

Inscription. Most of Coloma's buildings were wooden, but some were were made of brick or stone to resist fire. This one, known as "Bells Brick Store," was a general merchandise store that also sold feed and grain. The U.S. Post Office was located in this building for many years.

Erected by Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Communications • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Postal Mail and Philately series list.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 47.974′ N, 120° 53.375′ W. Marker was in Coloma, California, in El Dorado County. It was on State Highway 49, on the left when traveling south. Marker and site are located within the boundaries of the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Coloma CA 95613, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in California’s Sacramento Metro,

in the Sierra Nevada,

and in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

It was also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it was 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 found 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 location: A different marker also named Robert Bell's Store (here, next to this marker); Coloma (here, next to this marker); Site of Virginia Saloon

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(a few steps from this marker); County Courthouse (a few steps from this marker); Kane House (within shouting distance of this marker); El Dorado Bath House and Shaving Saloon (within shouting distance of this marker); Papini House (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Odd Fellows Hall (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Coloma.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Odd Fellows Hall (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

More about this marker. The marker has been removed and replaced by a different marker.

Also see . . . Coloma, California. Wikipedia entry:
Links to the Nomination Form for the Marshall Gold Discovery State History Park entry at the National Register of Historic Places website. (Submitted on February 14, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Photographed by Syd Whittle, October 7, 2008

2. Robert Bell's Store Marker

Robert Bell's Store image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, October 7, 2008

3. Robert Bell's Store

Photographed by Eastman's Studio, Susanville, Ca

4. Main Street

Marshall Gold Discovery State Park Coloma, Ca.

Bell's Store - Coloma, California image. Click for full size.

Merle Porter - Published by Royal Pictures - Colton,Ca

5. Bell's Store - Coloma, California

It was on Jan. 24, 1848, at a spot by the American River that the Indians called Culloomah, that James W. Marshall happen to notice flakes of gold, while turning off the water to Sutters Sawmill. This started the gold rush of 1849. By the act of Legislature of April 25th, 1951, Coloma was declared the county seat of El Dorado County only to have Hangtown, later Placerville, to take over the honor in 1857. In 1856 Coloma was swept by fire which destroyed most of the wooden buildings. One of the first buildings rebuilt after the fire was the brick store owned by Robert Bell. Banners, Signs and Merchandise were displayed under the shake-covered porch that covered the fancy brick sidewalk...M.P.

Rear View of Robert Bell's Store image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Neil Roby, April 10, 2007

6. Rear View of Robert Bell's Store

Credits. This page was last revised on February 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 7, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,635 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 7, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 6. submitted on April 3, 2009, by Neil Roby of Placerville, California.