Colfax in Placer County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
The Stevens Trail
Erected 1994 by Lord Sholto Douglas No. 3, E Clampus Vitus.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1859.
Location. 39° 6.445′ N, 120° 51.604′ W. Marker is in Colfax, California, in Placer County. Marker is on Iowa Hill Road, 9 miles south of Interstate 80, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3071 Iowa Hill Road, Colfax CA 95713, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Iowa Hill (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Cape Horn Promontory (approx. 3.7 miles away); Gold Run (approx. 4.6 miles away); Historic Bell From St. Dominic's Church at Iowa Hill (approx. 4.9 miles away); Schuyler Colfax (approx. 5 miles away); Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad (approx. 5 miles away); Colfax (approx. 5 miles away); Illinoistown (approx. 5 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Colfax.
Regarding The Stevens Trail. "Trail History: The story of the Stevens Trail begins with the establishment of the Gold Rush mining communities of Illinoistown and Iowa Hill, separated by the steep North Fork American River Canyon. The Stevens Trail was originally surveyed under the ownership and direction of John Rutherford, an Iowa Hill miner and tanner. Rutherford soon brought in a partner, Truman A. Stevens, also a miner. Stevens was responsible for the completion and actual use of the trail during its main years of historic use, 1870-1895.
The tail was originally used as a toll path from Colfax down to Secret Ravine along the American River and then traveled up the other side to Iowa Hill which was a major metropolis during the Gold Rush period. Eventually, the use of the trail died down as did gold fever and it was all but forgotten until 1969 when a Sacramento area Boy Scout was credited with rediscovering the trail. Although the bridge connecting the two sides of the river no longer stands, the trail still provides a beautiful hike through an area that was once bustling with miners...all in search of gold!"
From an information sheet posted on the bulletin board at the Stevens Trail Colfax Trailhead
Additional keywords. California Gold Rush
Credits. This page was last revised on September 18, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 771 times since then and 12 times this year. Last updated on July 28, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 2, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 4. submitted on July 28, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.