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

Monroe House

Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, January 21, 2023

1. Monroe House Marker

Replacement Marker.

Inscription. Pearly Monroe was a grandson of Peter and Nancy Gooch, who were freed from slavery here when California became a state in 1850. The Monroe family became successful fruit farmers and prominent property holders in Coloma. This house was built by Pearly in 1925 as a rental property and is tangible evidence of their success. The Monroe Orchard, located elsewhere in the park, still produces pears and apples.

Erected by Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Agriculture • Settlements & Settlers • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.

Location. 38° 48.004′ N, 120° 53.423′ W. Marker is in Coloma, California, in El Dorado County. Marker is on Coloma Road (California Route 49) north of Brewery Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located within the boundaries of the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Coloma CA 95613, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Blacksmith Shop (a few steps from this marker); G.J. Hazeltine's Daguerrean Gallery (a few steps from this marker); Site of Coloma Livery Stables (a few steps from this marker); Schulze House

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(a few steps from this marker); Coloma Breweries (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Wells Fargo Express and Banking Company (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Wright's Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of the Sierra Nevada House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Coloma.

Also see . . .
1. Slavery – California’s Hidden Sin, by Chrisanne Beckner. This article includes a detailed account of the Gooch/Monroe family and how they came to California. (Submitted on March 19, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)

2. The Monroe Family. The California State Park's essay regarding the Gooch and Monroe Families. (Submitted on March 19, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)

Additional commentary.
1. From the Marshal Gold Discovery SHP Brochure:
According to the Gooch-Monroe family’s oral history, Peter and Nancy Gooch came to Coloma as slaves in 1849. The following year California became a free state. Peter Gooch worked in construction and at odd jobs,
Photographed By Syd Whittle, March 17, 2009

2. Monroe House Marker
Original Marker.
and Nancy did domestic chores for the miners. By 1861 Nancy had saved enough money to buy the freedom of her son, Andrew Monroe, who was still a slave in Missouri. Andrew brought his wife Sarah, and their three children to Coloma, where they became respected farmers. In the 1940s the State purchased some of the Monroe landholdings from Andrew Monroe’s son, Pearly, which included the original site of Marshall’s gold discovery – the foundation of today’s park. The entire Gooch-Monroe family are buried in the park’s Pioneer Cemetery.

— Submitted March 20, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.

Additional keywords. Freed Slaves

Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, January 21, 2023

3. Monroe House & Marker

Monroe House and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, March 17, 2009

4. Monroe House and Marker

The Monroe Family image. Click for full size.

Photographed By California State Parks

5. The Monroe Family

Monroe Family Orchard image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, March 29, 2009

6. Monroe Family Orchard

Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park Brochure

7. The Monroe Family

William, Grant, Pearly, Andrew,Jr., (top); Cordilia, James, Andrew Sr.,Sarah (middle): Garfield (bottom).

Note the different spellings of Perly. On the marker it is spelled "Perly", however in the Park Brochure the spelling is "Pearly".

Pearley Monroe Grave Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, March 29, 2009

8. Pearley Monroe Grave Marker

Located at the Coloma Pioneer Cemetery

Credits. This page was last revised on January 23, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 19, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,841 times since then and 74 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 23, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 2. submitted on March 19, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 3. submitted on January 23, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 4. submitted on March 19, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 5. submitted on March 21, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 6. submitted on March 30, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 7. submitted on March 19, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 8. submitted on March 30, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.