Almaden near San Jose in Santa Clara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Site of First Mining in California
Photographed By Leticia A. Kohnen, October 20, 2006
1. State Historic Landmark 339-1
The community of New Almaden is the location of many historic homes. Take a minute to stop and enjoy each one and its history as you walk through this historic mining town.
Erected 1979 by State Department of Parks & Recreation, California Pioneers of Santa Clara County, Mountain Charlie Chapter 1850 E Clampus Vitus. (Marker Number 339-1.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Landmarks • Natural Resources • Notable Buildings • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the E Clampus Vitus series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1824.
Location. 37° 10.449′ N, 121° 49.47′ W. Marker is near San Jose, California, in Santa Clara County. It is in Almaden. Marker is at the intersection of Almaden Road and Bertram Way, on the left when traveling west on Almaden Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: San Jose CA 95120, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Patrick Tillman (here, next to this marker); Hard Rock Miners (here, next to this marker); Site of First Mining Operation in California
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Additional commentary.
1. Bulmore Park
Text of marker shown in Photo No. 3.
Named in honor of Robert R. Bulmore and his son, Laurence E. Bulmore.
Robert Bulmore was the last General Manager of the New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Company and the last official resident of the Casa Grande.
Laurence Bulmore, a native son, was noted as an authority and historian on early New Almaden by virtue of his writings and collection of rate photographs taken by his father.
Park built by volunteer members of E Clampus Vitus and dedicated on October 13, 1979. • Mountain Carlie Chapter No. 1850, E Clampus Vitus • “Right Wrongs Nobody”
Photographed By Leticia A. Kohnen, October 20, 2006
2. New Almaden State Historic Landmark
Marker is located on southwest side of intersection at west end of New Almaden Village.
2. Carson House • 1854 • (Cottage No. 13)
Text of marker shown in Photo No. 5.
One of three complete adobe houses in New Almaden made of creek gravel and adobe mud.
In 1855 a plan of the settlement of the hacienda, including all homes south of Casa Grande (the manager's home), to the reduction works of the New Almaden mine, show houses No. 1 to No. 25 on the creek side of the road. George Carson arrived in New Almaden in August, 1883. He acted as telegrapher, bookkeeper and postmaster for the company. He later became Wells-Fargo Express agent and held all positions until his death in 1903. Purchased by Adelaide B. Healey on March 20, 1926.
Dedicated May 21, 1982 by James E. & Adelaide Healey, Kambish, Perham families and Mountain Charlie Chapter No. 1850, E Clampus Vitus.
— Submitted October 6, 2007.
3. Bulmore House • 1854 • (Cottage No. 12)
Text of marker shown in Photo No. 7.
Only complete four room, oven-dried brick house in New Almaden.
Appointed cashier, hacienda foreman and secretary of the Miner’s Fund by the manager Mr. Randol, Robert R. Bulmore moved into this cottage in September, 179.
Mr. Bullmore’s avocation was photography,
Photographed By Leticia A. Kohnen, October 20, 2006
3. Bulmore Park Historic Marker - New Almaden
located on reverse side of New Almaden State Historic Landmark Plaque base.
When Mr. Randol retired, Mr. Bulmore was appointed general agent and sole pacific coast representative of the company. He then moved into the Casa Grande.
Dedicated May 21, 1982 by Douglas & Constance Perham and Mountain Charlie Chapter No. 1850, E Clampus Vitus.
— Submitted October 6, 2007.
4. Robert Scott House • (Cottage No. 4)
Text of marker shown in Photo No. 9.
Robert Scott, a native of Canada, arrived in New Almaden in 1864. He was co-inventor of the Huttner & Scott furnace in 1876, the furnace that revolutionized the reduction of quicksilver and saved the Quicksilver Mining Company from bankruptcy. This furnace, because of improvements by him, later became known as the Scott Furnace.
Scott married in 1861 and, with his bride, moved into Cottage No. 4, living there until 1895. He then moved into the house he built at 498 South 11th Street, San Jose.
Dedicated October 11, 1980, Santa Clara County Historical Heritage Commission and Mountain Charlie Chapter No. 1850, E Clampus Vitus.
— Submitted October 6, 2007, by 
J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
Photographed By Leticia A. Kohnen, October 20, 2006
4. Carson House - New Almaden
This building is a private home, Please do not disturb the occupants.
5. The Hauck House • Casa Nuestra or Cottage # 5
Text of marker shown in Photo No. 11.
Built by Barron, Forbes & Company in the late 1840’s, this cottage is one of several houseswith a brick basement. Individuals who rented this house included William Flemming, John Marr, George Granger, and Thomas Barrett.
Theodore S. Shaw, a schoolteacher and Justice of the Peace also lived here, as well as Fred P. Hauck, Sr., who served as treasurer of the New Almaden Company from 1915–1930. The brick sidewalk was constructed so that children could walk to the hacienda school. without muddying their shoes.
Dedicated May 15, 2005 by Mike and Dorene Boulland • Sponsored by The New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association & Mountain Charlie Chapter # 1850, E Clampus Vitus • “Right Wrongs Nobody”
— Submitted October 6, 2007.
6. Huttner House • (Cottage No. 3)
Text of marker shown in Photo No. 13.
Home of H. J. Huttner, a mechanical engineer, who in 1874 worked with brick layer Robert Scott to design and build the first highly efficient ore extracting furnace.
This house of modest wood and brick construction was typical of others along the gateway
Photographed By Leticia A. Kohnen, October 20, 2006
5. Carson House marker
Dedicated August 28, 1981 by the Casterson family and Mountain Charlie Chapter No. 1850, E Clampus Vitus.
— Submitted October 6, 2007.
7. The Randol Family Home • Cottage # 1
Text of marker shown in Photo No. 15.
This cottage is the largest of the dwellings built by Barron, Forbes & Co. in the late 1840’s. It contained four fireplaces and a large wood-burning basement stove used by servants to prepare meals. It was purchased in 1863 by New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Co. and earlier in 1856 house the head mining engineers.
Dr. A.R. Randol lived here in 1879, he having replaced Dr. Frederick V. Hopkins. The company accountant Robert Burnett Smith & his wife Anne Terhune Smith followed & they lived here through 1881. Anne was also a sister-in-law of J.B. Randol, the mine’s manager from 1870 to 1892.
Dedicated May 15, 2005 by the Harry & Buffy Wellman family • Sponsored by The New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association & Mountain Charlie Chapter 1850, E. Clampus Vitus • “Right Wrongs Nobody”.
— Submitted October 6, 2007.
Photographed By Leticia A. Kohnen, October 20, 2006
6. Bulmore House - New Almaden
This building is a private home, Please do not disturb the occupants.
