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

Angels Hotel

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, February 20, 2009

1. Angels Hotel Marker

Inscription. C.C. Lake erected here a canvas hotel in 1851. It was replaced by a one-story wooden structure, and then by one of stone in 1855, with second story being added in 1857. Here, Samuel Clemens first heard the yarn, which was later to bring him fame as author of "The Jumping Frog of Calaveras".

California Registered Historical Landmark No. 734
Plaque placed by the California State Park Commission in cooperation with Princess Parlor No. 84, Native Daughters of the Golden West, July 31, 1960.

Erected 1960. (Marker Number 734.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1750.

Location. 38° 4.117′ N, 120° 32.358′ W. Marker is in Angels Camp, California, in Calaveras County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street and Bird Way, on the left when traveling south on Main Street. 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 of this marker. Angels Camp (a few steps from this marker); Independent Order of Odd Fellows Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Chinatown

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(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.

Also see . . . Angels Hotel from Life Magazine, 1944. As shown in Life's photo from 1944, the hotel had undergone considerable changes, with the loggia having been totally removed and replaced with an awning over the entrance, and a neon sign advertising the hotel. (Submitted on April 5, 2009.)

Angels Hotel - View from Southwest image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, February 20, 2009

2. Angels Hotel - View from Southwest

Home of Mark Twain Famous Jumping Frog of Calaveras County Mural image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Denise Boose, May 27, 2016

3. Home of Mark Twain Famous Jumping Frog of Calaveras County Mural

Located on the Southeast corner of Angels Hotel. Painted by Gerald Slayton and Painted by Judy Grossman

Angels Hotel - View from Northwest image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, February 20, 2009

4. Angels Hotel - View from Northwest

It was here at the bar that one night early in 1865 bartender Ben Coon told Mark Twain the story of a man and a jumping frog. Twain turned this into "Jim Smiley and his Jumping Frog". The story proved popular, and was reworked and published as the famous "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County".

Angels Hotel image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of the Historic American Building Survey, LOC

5. Angels Hotel

This undated view of the Angels Hotel is likely to date from the 1900-1930 period. Clues to the period are 1) the lack of the Angels Camp monument which was erected on the corner in 1931, and 2) the small Bell System telephone sign mounted on the support below the Hotel Angels sign would place the picture into the Twentieth Century.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 10, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 5, 2009, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 1,835 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 5, 2009, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 3. submitted on September 5, 2016, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. 4, 5. submitted on April 5, 2009, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.