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

Claussen’s Corner

Photographed By Syd Whittle, June 13, 2010

1. Claussen’s Corner Marker

Inscription. Built in the early 1850’s, year not documented, by Frank Egan, as the Central Park Hotel. Then, it included a brothel upstairs. The hotel was sold to Mrs. Mitrovich and renamed The Waverly Hotel. Blagoje “Billy” Ratkovich bought the hotel in 1922 and died in 1940. Dorothy Ratkovich Soracco, Billy’s daughter, inherited the property. Her husband, Mel Soracco, who had worked in the hotel since 1932, took over the property, closed the hotel and renamed it Mel’s Central Corner. Later, when renamed Mel’s Corner, it featured billiards and cards in the back room. Mel retired in 1974. Cecil Hale, owned Mel’s Corner from 1974 to 1982. Rand and Betty Claussen bought the bar and renamed it Claussen’s Corner in 2003. The current owners of the building are brother and sister, Michael Tarbat and Roberta Hoffman, who are directly related to Billy Ratkovich.

Erected 2009 by Matuca Chapter 1849 E Clampus Vitus.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1922.

Location. 38° 4.177′ N, 120° 32.427′ W. Marker is in Angels Camp, California, in Calaveras County. Marker is

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at the intersection of Hardscrabble Street and South Main Street (State Highway 49), on the right when traveling east on Hardscrabble Street. Marker is mounted on the north side of building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1208 South Main Street, 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. Veterans Memorial Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); A. Brosemer Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Independent Order of Odd Fellows Building (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Angels Camp (about 500 feet away); Angels Hotel (about 500 feet away); Chinatown (about 600 feet away); Utica Mansion (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mark Twain (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Angels Camp.

Side View of Claussen's Corner Building and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, June 13, 2010

2. Side View of Claussen's Corner Building and Marker

Claussen’s Corner image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, June 13, 2010

3. Claussen’s Corner

The Historic Chicken Ladder image. Click for full size.

August 25, 2012

4. The Historic Chicken Ladder

The Chicken Ladder on Hardscrabble Street... was constructed [circa 1886] by home owners on the narrow "nearly vertical" street to assist in walking up and down the hazardous slope. Many homes have front entrances on one street and back entrances on the next as Angels Camp is built on hills and honey combed with mine tunnels. Source: Historic Angels Camp Walking Tour

Entrance to the Historic Chicken Ladder image. Click for full size.

August 25, 2012

5. Entrance to the Historic Chicken Ladder

The Chicken Ladder is located on Hardscrabble Street above Claussen's Corner.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 14, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,425 times since then and 26 times this year. Last updated on March 11, 2011, by Rand & Betty Claussen of Angels Camp, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 14, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 4, 5. submitted on August 29, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.