Sonora in Tuolumne County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Sonora Fountain
Photographed By Syd Whittle, June 13, 2010
1. Sonora Fountain Marker
The Sonora Fountain was first erected in 1904 in the center of Washington Street, 75 feet northerly of its present location. Cast in an East Coast foundry, it was purchased by the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union and used for many years as a watering trough for horses.
In 1928, it was accompanied by a stone monument to the Mark Twain – Bret Harte Trail in the center of Washington Street at Stockton Road. For more than 30 years, the fountain and stone monument framed a line of diagonal parking in the center of the street. Removed in 1959, both have been restored to this location in 1998.
Erected 1998.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1904.
Location. 37° 58.922′ N, 120° 22.921′ W. Marker is in Sonora, California, in Tuolumne County. Marker is at the intersection of South Washington Street and Church Street, on the right when traveling north on South Washington Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sonora CA 95370, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Sonora (within shouting distance of this marker); Sonora Opera Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); First Two-Story House in Sonora
this page online
Regarding Sonora Fountain. See Nearby Marker Sonora for additional information on the Mark Twain-Bret Harte Trail.
Photographed By Syd Whittle, June 13, 2010
2. Sonora Fountain Marker
Photographed By Syd Whittle, June 13, 2010
3. Sonora Fountain and Marker
Photographed By Merle Porter, Royal Pictures, Colton, California, circa 1960's
4. Sonora, California
This postcard image is looking north from the intersection of Stockton Road and Washington Street - Original site of the Fountain.
"Sonora, California is the seat of Tuolumne County. In 1848 this was known as Sonorian Camp, settled by Mexicans from the state of Sonora, Mexico. The streets were packed with as many as 5,000 miners on a Saturday night. The town was organized in 1848 to establish a hospital to treat one-half of the population who suffered from scurvy. In June of 1850 the new "gringo" government, unappreciative of Sonora's pioneers, imposed a $20 tax on foreign-born miners. Alarmed at the Yankee treachery, Mexicans and Chileans, fearing an attack pulled down their tents and left for new diggings. When the excitement subsided, Sonora found itself with but a fifth of its former poplulation"...MP
"Sonora, California is the seat of Tuolumne County. In 1848 this was known as Sonorian Camp, settled by Mexicans from the state of Sonora, Mexico. The streets were packed with as many as 5,000 miners on a Saturday night. The town was organized in 1848 to establish a hospital to treat one-half of the population who suffered from scurvy. In June of 1850 the new "gringo" government, unappreciative of Sonora's pioneers, imposed a $20 tax on foreign-born miners. Alarmed at the Yankee treachery, Mexicans and Chileans, fearing an attack pulled down their tents and left for new diggings. When the excitement subsided, Sonora found itself with but a fifth of its former poplulation"...MP
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 19, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 922 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 19, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.
