Angels Camp in Calaveras County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Angels Camp

Home of the Jumping Frog

— Romance - Gold - History —

Angels Camp Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, September 5, 2006

1. Angels Camp Marker

Inscription. Founded in 1849 by George Angel, who established a mining camp and trading store 200 feet below this marker. A rich gravel mining area and one of the richest quartz mining sections of the Mother Lode. Production records of over $100 million for Angels Camp and vicinity. Prominent in early day California history. Townsite established in 1873. Locale of Mark Twain's famous story, The Jumping Frog of Calaveras. Frequented by Joaquin Murietta, Black Bart and other early day bandits.

Erected 1931. (Marker Number 287.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1849.

Location. 38° 4.113′ N, 120° 32.365′ W. Marker is in Angels Camp, California, in Calaveras County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street (State Highway 49) and State Highway 4, on the right when traveling south on Main Street. Marker is located at the entrance to the parking lot for the retail store at the corner of Main Street (State Highway 49) and Finnegan Way. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Angels Camp CA 95222, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance

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of this marker. Angels Hotel (a few steps from this marker); Independent Order of Odd Fellows Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Chinatown (within shouting distance of this marker); A. Brosemer Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Veterans Memorial Hall (about 500 feet away); Claussen’s Corner (about 500 feet away); Utica Mansion (approx. ¼ mile away); Mark Twain (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Angels Camp.

Regarding Angels Camp. This site has been designated as California Registered Historical Landmark No.287

Also see . . .
1. Short History of Angels Camp. (Submitted on December 15, 2008.)
2. Ghost Towns: Angels Camp. (Submitted on December 15, 2008.)
3. Angels Camp History. (Submitted on December 15, 2008.)
4. Wikipedia Entry for “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County”. “Jim loves to gamble and will offer to bet on anything and everything, from horse races to dogfights, to the health of the local parson’s wife. He catches a frog, whom he names Dan'l Webster and for three months, trains it to jump. When a stranger visits the camp, Jim shows off Dan’l and offers to bet $40 that it can out-jump any other frog in

Photographed By Syd Whittle, September 5, 2006

2. Angels Camp Marker

The sculpture on top of the base is of a frog- commemorating the "Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County"

Calaveras County. The stranger, unimpressed, says that he would take the bet if he had a frog, so Jim goes out to catch one, leaving him alone with Dan’l. While Jim is away, the stranger pours lead shot down Dan'l's throat. Once Jim returns, he and the stranger set the frogs down and let them loose. The stranger’s frog jumps away while Dan'l does not budge, and the surprised and disgusted Jim pays the $40 wager. After the stranger has departed, Jim notices Dan’l’s sluggishness and picks the frog up, finding it to be much heavier than he remembers. When Dan’l belches out a double handful of lead shot, Jim realizes that he has been cheated and chases after the stranger, but never catches him.” (Submitted on February 24, 2018.)

Additional commentary.
1. Frog Jump Jubilee Commemorative Plaques
The Calaveras County Fair aka The Frog Jump Jubilee is held the third weekend in May. The main attraction of the fair is the annual frog jumping contest which is a tribute to the famous Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) short story The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County..

The town of Angels Camp has installed bronze plaques in the sidewalks of Main Street to commemorate each year’s winners. See Photos #9, #10 and #11 for examples..

Frog at the Top of the Base image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, September 5, 2006

3. Frog at the Top of the Base

— Submitted May 24, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.

Additional keywords. Gold Rush

Close-Up of Artwork on Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, September 5, 2006

4. Close-Up of Artwork on Marker

Postcard Image of Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Unknown

5. Postcard Image of Marker

Jumping Frog Marker Angels Camp, Calif. Note that marker is located at its previous site in front of the Angels Hotel at Main and Birds Streets.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, May 24, 2009

6. Main Street

Looking North from North of the Marker

Angels Camp - Looking South Down Main Street (1920's) image. Click for full size.

Unknown, Photo Courtesy of the Historic American Building Survey, LOC

7. Angels Camp - Looking South Down Main Street (1920's)

Angels Camp - View Looking South on the Historic Part of Main Street image. Click for more information.

February 20, 2009

8. Angels Camp - View Looking South on the Historic Part of Main Street

This view shows main street looking south in the historic center of Angels Camp. The marker (not visible) would be located in the picture down towards the visible end of the street on the right hand side, opposite the Angels Hotel (the building with the blue-railed balcony), just barely visible.
Click for more information.

Bronze Plaque - 1865 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, May 24, 2009

9. Bronze Plaque - 1865

The main character of The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County
1865
World Record
"Dan'l Webster"
0' 0"
Jim Smiley
Angels Camp, Ca.

Bronze Plaque - 1944 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, May 24, 2009

10. Bronze Plaque - 1944

1944
World Record
"Maggie"
16' 2"
Merlin Fisher
Stockton, Ca

Bronze Plaque - 2004 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, May 24, 2009

11. Bronze Plaque - 2004

2004
"Red Bull"
20' 2 1/2"
Bob Fasano
San Jose, Ca.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 3, 2019. It was originally submitted on December 15, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 3,206 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 15, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 6. submitted on May 24, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 7. submitted on April 4, 2009. 8. submitted on February 23, 2009. 9, 10, 11. submitted on May 24, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.