Established about 1850. A supply center for gold mining activity on the North Fork, East Fork of North Fork and main Trinity River for more than 70 years, this fine ranch at one time boasted a hotel, store, livery stable, blacksmith shop, brewery, . . . — — Map (db m56123) HM
This plaque is between the two sites first mined in ’49. The rush came in 1850, when John Weaver & Co. ditched water from Lil’ Weaver Creek, now Big Bar Creek taking out $100,000 in gold at Big Flat. Elizabeth Walton, mined here with her husband in . . . — — Map (db m100581) HM
On Little Brown's Creek Road at California Route 3 & 229 on Little Brown's Creek Road.
Built in 1858 by W.S. Lowden. This was the first wagon road to Weaverville from Lewiston. From Lowden’s Ranch the roads forked. One went through Lewiston and up over Hoadley Peak on the Lewiston Turnpike, which was a toll road built by W.S. Lowden. . . . — — Map (db m56194) HM
Major Pierson B. Reading discovered gold on this bar behind this monument in July, 1848. After crossing the Trinity Divide from the North Fork of Cottonwood Creek. His party of three whites, close friend Delaware Indian scout Tom Hill, and sixty . . . — — Map (db m55999) HM
Near Steel Bridge Road, on the left when traveling north.
The Union Hill Mines, which began in 1862, were located up the western slope of Union Hill from the mouth of Weaver Creek, at the head of Union Gulch. It was one of the largest placer mines in Trinity County. Water was ditched from Weaver Creek and . . . — — Map (db m70306) HM
The Japanese paper balloon landed in a tree near the Charles Lafffranchini Ranch 2½ miles N.W. of here on the afternoon of February 1, 1945 and after time exploded leaving the gas valve lines, ballast, 4 bombs, sandbags and the bomb carriage . . . — — Map (db m112565) HM
On California Route 3 north of Bridge Gulch Road (FS 31N19), on the left when traveling south.
The first school opened in 1896 as a community school in Morgan Frances’ log cabin. The teacher was Miss Fanny Doyle. The new school was built in 1897 operating with one of the first special use permits from Trinity National Forest. The school . . . — — Map (db m70307) HM
On State Highway 299, on the right when traveling east.
On this site once stood the town of "Bagdad"
Founded in the year of 1850 by pioneers Craven Lee and David Weed. Peak of population five hundred. — — Map (db m232254) HM
A mining town was settled here on Corral Bar in 1890, and named after Chloride Mine locator Dan C. Dedrick. The post office was established May 4, 1891. By 1902 the town boasted a school, 2 stores, 2 hotels, a restaurant, lodging house, livery, . . . — — Map (db m56115) HM
On Route 229 just north of Canyon Creek Road, on the right when traveling south.
[Upper Marker:]
On this site in 1852 a group of early settlers formed a mining community. The called it Milltown after the Seeley and Dowles water powered sawmill located near the mouth of Canyon Creek. In September 1861 this rapidly . . . — — Map (db m56112) HM
On Canyon Creek Road, 8.3 miles north of California Route 229, on the right when traveling north.
Cañon City was established in 1851 and in 1852 had a pop. of 800. The town had a blacksmith shop, two stores, two hotels, one temperance hall, one bakery, two billiard saloons, two express houses, two saw mills, post office, and a one-room school. . . . — — Map (db m56121) HM
On Goose Ranch Road at School House Road on Goose Ranch Road.
The Congregational Church of Lewiston was organized in October 1889. It was incorporated and erected in 1896. Construction was done by a local contractor – Mr. Canfield. The total cost was $750.00. During its early years, ministers traveled . . . — — Map (db m56199) HM
On Lewiston Turnpike Road at Deadwood Road on Lewiston Turnpike Road.
Forty-niner Thomas Palmer, bought Cephus Wood’s property, known as “Old Tucker’s Place,” in 1850. In 1851, he built a ferry, a bridge, and numerous buildings. Palmer hired his adopted son, Benjamin Franklin Lewis to run his enterprises, . . . — — Map (db m56202) HM
Near Deadwood Road, on the right when traveling south.
Built by William Burber in 1863, it served as a hotel, bar and stage stop. Originally closer to the river, the hotel burned in 1897 and was rebuilt on its present site in 1899 by Johnny Koll. It continued as a hotel until its closure in 1939. It was . . . — — Map (db m56229) HM
This cemetery was established in the 1850’s and many prominent early day Lewiston settlers are buried here.
This plaque is dedicated to the miners, farmers and cattlemen who made history in this area. — — Map (db m56200) HM
On Deadwood Street at Lewiston Turnpike Road on Deadwood Street.
On June 10, 1894, at 9:30 P.M., Edward William Jose’ was mortally wounded by his new freight driver, Frank G. Eddinger, who had robbed the freight wagon the day before on Browns Mountain. Walter Baker, Mart Van Matre and Jose’ were sitting on the . . . — — Map (db m56228) HM
On Old Lewiston Road, on the right when traveling east.
This granary, known as the Frick and Davis Granary, was built in 1853, as part of “Mud Ranch,” named from its rich black alluvial soil. First settled by George W. Davis and Christian Frick in 1850. The house was built in 1855. The ranch . . . — — Map (db m56197) HM
Name amended 1997 by resolution
to honor Trinity County Resident
Colonel James E. Swett – USMC Ret.
A World War II Marine Aviator
who on April 7th 1943 was awarded
the Congressional Medal of Honor,
our Nations highest award, for . . . — — Map (db m56237) HM
On California Route 3 at East Side Road, on the left when traveling north on State Route 3.
Gold dredging turned the Trinity River upside down for over 50 years, leaving behind mounds of rock tailings. The first operation, in 1889, was the Kise Bros. Dredge. The Carrville Dredge, at this site was the last dredge operating for a few years . . . — — Map (db m56230) HM
A pack trail in 1851, Greathouse & Co. muled passengers by 1854. James E. Carr contracted by the California Stage Co., finished the last six miles of road from Trinity River to here, Sept. 14, 1860. The first daily mail and passenger stage, driven . . . — — Map (db m56234) HM
On Scott Mountain Road (Route 3 at milepost 83.3), on the right when traveling north.
About 60 feet above this marker a line of rocks marks the old Trappers and Emigrants Trail from Trinity River to Scott Valley. This route may have been used as early as 1829 by Hudson’s Bay trappers and others prior to the building of this road in . . . — — Map (db m57898) HM
On Carrville Loop Road, on the right when traveling south.
Carrville was a well known stage stop and resort, with a post office and general store. Founded in the 1860’s by James E. Carr of Ireland, who came to California in 1849. Carr was instrumental in building the stage road from Trinity Mountain to . . . — — Map (db m56232) HM
On Guy Covington Drive, 1.1 miles south of Trinity Lake Boulevard (California Highway 3), on the right when traveling south.
This barn was built by the Bowerman family in 1878 as part of their ranch operation. Much of the barn was handcrafted and it serves as a fine example of the skills of that time.
The Bowerman’s are an early pioneer family in Trinity County. . . . — — Map (db m56260) HM
On Airport Road at Trinity Lake Boulevard (California Route 3), on the left when traveling east on Airport Road.
Hudson Bay Co. trappers worked the Trinity Valley as early as 1826. A tenuous peace existed between the trappers and the Wintu Indians. Miners invaded the valley in 1850. In 1851, Moses Chadbourne built a trading post, by the same name, on his ranch . . . — — Map (db m56259) HM
On Highway 3 (California Route 3 at milepost 64.2), on the right when traveling north on Highway 3.
The Rising Tide of History in the Trinity Unit of the Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area
By 1956 the Gold Rush was only an echo along the river now covered by Trinity and Lewiston Lakes. The abandoned remnants of fevered . . . — — Map (db m57965) HM
Deputy Sheriff Charles Wm. "Bud" Carpenter was a life long resident of Trinity County. He was killed in the line of duty while attempting to capture three suspects fleeing from a robbery of the store and post office in Willow Creek.
In his . . . — — Map (db m32632) HM
Francis "Moose" Mathews was a public-minded citizen, community leader and masterful attorney for over 52 years, his pro-bono services and dedication to his clients, including the American Indian tribes of the Hoopa Valley and Klamath River, are well . . . — — Map (db m32627) HM
This monument dedicated to the fond remembrance of Archie Arbuckle who from false Armistice Day 1918 until his death July 11th, 1970 fired the anvil each 4th of July.
Anvil firing has been a tradition with the Arbuckle family for 5 generations. . . . — — Map (db m56137) HM
On Main Street (California Route 3 / 229), on the right when traveling north.
In1852 the Cameron Bros. built a 2 story building. Madam La Batcheler purchased it in 1853 and operated the Golden Gate Saloon. Later known as the Polka Saloon, by 1855, the town lodges of ECV, Masons and Son of Temperance met in the upper story . . . — — Map (db m56024) HM
On Trinity Lake Boulevard (California Route 3), on the right when traveling east.
In the year 1854 on this site two belligerent Chinese Tongs fought a pitched battle, 2000 participated, 26 lost their lives, and many were wounded. — — Map (db m56084) HM
On Main Street (California Route 299), on the right when traveling north.
Built by Richard Clifford in 1855. One of three two story Weaverville structures with outside circular staircases hand made by village blacksmiths. Once home of Mt. Bally Parlor No. 87, Native Sons of the Golden West.
Dedicated by Grand Parlor, . . . — — Map (db m56004) HM
On Main Street (California Route 3/299) just south of Trinity Lake Boulevard (Highway 3), on the right when traveling west.
The first chapter of ECV in Weaverville began in 1855. After a rocky start in the Sierra Nevada Gold County, the organization got a foothold in Mokelumne Hill, in 1851. The first Noble Grand Humbug for the Weaverville Chapter was John C. Burch, a . . . — — Map (db m70304) HM
On Mill Street, on the right when traveling south.
Near this site in April, 1850, William S. Hamilton, the son of Alexander Hamilton, established the first store in the basin. During a business trip to Sacramento he died from cholera, August 7, 1850. — — Map (db m56002) HM
On Trinity Lake Boulevard (California Route 3) at China Gulch Road on Trinity Lake Boulevard.
In the 1880’s George Jumper established a steam powered sawmill 300' east of this monument, above the confluence of Little Brown’s Creek and China Gulch. An 80’ long building housed the mill. Oxen teams of ten or more were used to pull long, four . . . — — Map (db m112566) HM
Near Lorenz Road north of Bremer Street, on the left when traveling north.
This house built in 1917 by family members on land purchased from Mrs. J. Putnam is located adjacent to the 32 acre Lorenz Ranch farmed by the Lee family since 1906. Acquired from the Lee family in 1989 by Trinity County. — — Map (db m56193) HM
On California Route 299, on the right when traveling east.
Searching for Gold
Imagine a pile of dirt as big as 6 football fields and two miles high.
That pile of dirt use to be where you are now standing.
It is called Oregon Mountain.
Hydraulic mining dissolved 90% of this mound in the . . . — — Map (db m96543) HM
On Main Street (California Route 299), on the right when traveling north.
Built in 1854 as a single story frame building, it burned in the town fire of 1859 and rebuilt as a brick two-story. It was gutted in the big fire of 1863 and rebuilt. The hotel was known as the official stage stop until after the turn of the . . . — — Map (db m56017) HM
We honor the earliest interments of our pioneers whose wooden crosses, slabs and markers have been destroyed by the erosion of time. They were immigrants and adventurers who answered the call of gold. Some stayed to become packers, merchants, . . . — — Map (db m56135) HM
This building, with its rammed earth wall was constructed by early Chinese settlers.
On January 17, 1910, it was purchased by the Weaverville Fire District and was their fire station until 1949.
In 1979, the local fire district, with . . . — — Map (db m56020) HM
On Main Street (California Route 3 / 229), on the right when traveling north.
One of four Gold Rush breweries in Weaverville, the Pacific Brewery building was built by Fred Walters in 1855. Walters sold to Lorenz and Hagelman in 1865. John Meckel bought the business from Lorenz in 1878. Meckel died in 1889, but the Meckel . . . — — Map (db m56029) HM
On Main Street (California Route 3 / 229), on the right when traveling south.
The Paymaster Goldmine in Eastman Gulch, northeast of Lewiston, was located by Billy Richards, Bob Hamilton and Gene Goodyear in 1901. The original mill was built about 1904. The machinery was dismantled, restored and re-erected in this similar mill . . . — — Map (db m56082) HM
Once known as China Graveyard Ridge, by late August, 1871, Alex Love developed a racetrack on this site 550 yards in length. This popular quarter mile track saw the names of horses like “Hayfork Kitty” and “Hollywood” owned . . . — — Map (db m56190) HM
On Court Street at Center Street, on the right when traveling north on Court Street.
On this lot stood the Spanish Corral, a dance hall house of ill repute for over a decade during the Gold Rush. Two legislative acts of 1855, banned gambling and prostitution. Every fourth business in town was a saloon with ladies of the night, and . . . — — Map (db m95696) HM
On Main Street (Route 299), on the right when traveling south.
The spiral staircases of Weaverville have always been a predominant part of this community’s architecture. The structures became a necessity because of the separate ownership of the upper and lower floors.
This stairway, the first of these . . . — — Map (db m56015) HM
On Main Street (Route 299) north of Trinity Lake Boulevard, on the right when traveling north.
John Carr and his partners came to Weaverville in the spring of 1851. Carr was a blacksmith and realized immediately the need to set up shop. He did so, on this site. John Carr became known as "Vulcan” and established the first blacksmith . . . — — Map (db m153169) HM
This mine was originally known as the Oregon Mountain group of claims, first operated about 1862. In 1892 the mine was purchased by the La Grange Hydraulic Gold Mining Company which brought water from Stuart's Fork through 29 miles of ditch tunnels . . . — — Map (db m32635) HM
On Court Street at Church st, on the right when traveling east on Court Street.
At the head of Court Street next to the Catholic cemetery, J.F. Chillis in 1852, began building the first Trinity County courthouse. The twenty by sixty structure was three stories in 1853. The Trinity Masonic Lodge bought the third floor from the . . . — — Map (db m124447) HM
On Court Street at Main Street (California Route 229) on Court Street.
This building is one of the oldest courthouses in continuous use in California. It was built in 1857 by Henry Hocker as a hotel, store and saloon and was purchased by the Board of Supervisors in 1865. The rear section was added in 1935. The center . . . — — Map (db m56001) HM
On Main Street (California Route 299) at Trinity Lake Boulevard (California Route 3) on Main Street.
Two plaques are on this monument:
Upper Marker:
Weaverville
This town was created in 1850 by the early miners, merchants, craftsmen and worshippers as the gold mining and commercial center of the area. Here they built of brick, earth . . . — — Map (db m56018) HM
On Court Street just east of Main Street (California Route 299), on the right when traveling east.
Dedicated to the Weaverville Ladies Eltapome Band and to the pioneer musicians who played an important part in the early day social life of the town. Trinitarianus Chapter E Clampus Vitus July 23, 1966 — — Map (db m146343) HM
Near North Main Street (California Route 229) at Garden Gulch Street, on the right when traveling north.
In the bend of Rich Gulch near its junction with Ash Hollow five miners worked the winter of 1849-50, with the use of a log hollowed out to make a rocker. The rich pocket yielded five pounds of gold per day. The gulches in this district proved to . . . — — Map (db m112476) HM
On Main Street (California Route 3 / 229), on the right when traveling north.
Chinatown business district was centered in this area. On September 10, 1874, fire destroyed everything from the corner of Highway 3 & Main Street to the Pacific Brewery, except four adobe buildings. Again, on September 30, 1905, fire destroyed all . . . — — Map (db m56027) HM
On Main Street (California Route 299), on the right when traveling north.
This property
Weaverville Drug Store
Established 1853
Has been place on the
National Register
of Historic Places
By the United States Department
of the Interior — — Map (db m56005) HM
Near Main Street (California Route 3 / 229), on the right when traveling south.
Hundreds of Chinese miners came to the Weaverville area in the 1850’s and prospered despite hardships, discrimination and tax on foreign miners. The first house of worship burned in 1873; the Chinese continued their religious traditions in the . . . — — Map (db m56086) HM
On First Street (U.S. 287) at Main Street, on the left when traveling east on First Street.
Named for a grove of black jack oak trees, Groveton resulted from the establishment of the Trinity County Lumber Company sawmill in 1882. After the Trinity and Sabine Railroad Company built a sixty-five mile branch line through area forests, the . . . — — Map (db m53396) HM
On First Street (U.S. 287) at Main Street, on the left when traveling east on First Street.
The Trinity County and Sabine Pass Land and Railway Company laid out the new town of Groveton in 1881, when the I&GN Railroad came through the area. The following year, Trinity County voters chose it as their seat of government. The company . . . — — Map (db m53644) HM
On First Street (U.S. 287) at South Main Street, on the left when traveling east on First Street.
Trinity County was formally organized by an act of the Texas legislature on February 11, 1850. Soon after, county residents chose between two sites for the establishment of a county seat, which was named Sumpter (5 mi. E). Government offices were . . . — — Map (db m120967) HM
On Farm to Market Road 2781, 0.2 miles north of U.S. 287, on the right when traveling north.
Site of
Steele's Academy
Named in honor of its
founder and principal
D. W. Steele
of New Hampshire Academy
Attended by students from
many counties — — Map (db m128925) HM
On Farm to Market Road 355 at Farm to Market Road 356, on the right when traveling north on Road 355.
An important shipping point
established in the late fifties
Named in commemoration of
a naval station of Russia
Declined in importance after railroads
reached this region — — Map (db m128923) HM
On South Maple Street at Stadium Street, on the left when traveling north on South Maple Street.
This park was developed following a gift of 6.7 acres by the Black Veteran's Association to the City of Trinity in 1980 as a memorial to Black World War Veterans of Trinity County. Land was donated for the purpose of a park and recreation complex . . . — — Map (db m206837) HM WM
On West Main Street (Farm to Market Road 230) 0.1 miles west of Cemetery Street, on the right when traveling west.
The first documented burial in this cemetery, that of Phebe A. Martin, took place in 1875, three years after the town of Trinity was laid out on the George W. Wilson survey. Nearly 100 graves, many of them from an 1897-98 diphtheria epidemic, date . . . — — Map (db m206842) HM
On West Caroline Street at South Elm Street on West Caroline Street.
Born in Trinity on June 1, 1933, Charles Nesbitt "Charlie" Wilson served as a United States Naval officer, a state legislator and a United States Representative from Texas' Second Congressional District. Growing up, Wilson attended Trinity public . . . — — Map (db m206862) HM
On East Caroline Street (State Highway 94) 1.3 miles east of North Robb Street (State Highway 19).
A public work relief program from 1933 to 1942, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) provided jobs for young, unemployed or unmarried men during the Great Depression. Part of the New Deal, the CCC implemented a general natural resource conservation . . . — — Map (db m206877) HM
On North Robb Street (State Highway 19) at East Caroline Street, on the right when traveling north on North Robb Street.
Originally known as the Trinity Baptist Church in Christ, this congregation was formally organized on January 23, 1876, by the Rev. D.S. Snodgrass. Charter members included J.R. and Rachel Shaw, Mrs. S.J. Knox, O.G. Shaw, Dr. and Mrs. J.M. Arnold, . . . — — Map (db m206875) HM
On West Caroline Street at South Elm Street on West Caroline Street.
This congregation was organized in 1872, the same year the city of Trinity was founded. The Rev. John Woolam is credited with the establishment of the church and also served as its first itinerate minister. Woolam held services in Trinity one Sunday . . . — — Map (db m206867) HM
On Maple Street at Elizabeth Street, on the left when traveling north on Maple Street.
Built about 1888, this was the home of local merchant Isaac Newton Parker (1841-1918) and his family. Parker, a Confederate Civil War veteran, and his first wife, Mary C. Ashley (d. 1905) reared eight children here. After Mary's death Parker married . . . — — Map (db m232059) HM
Near West Main Street (Farm to Market Road 230) 0.1 miles west of Cemetery Street.
Mississippi natives Jacob Pope Barnes (1832-1877) and Elizabeth Ann Rankin (1834-1912) were wed on June 21, 1860. They moved to Texas in 1866 and came to Trinity in 1872. Jacob opened a mercantile store in partnership with Frank Lister and was . . . — — Map (db m206843) HM
On South Robb Street (State Highway 19) at West Jefferson Street, on the right when traveling south on South Robb Street.
Trinity's first schoolhouse was a one-room log structure built in 1872 near Cedar Grove Cemetery. A two-story frame schoolhouse that stood on this site from 1897 to 1911 was moved several blocks northwest to serve African American students. Under . . . — — Map (db m52983) HM
On South Maple Street, 0.1 miles south of West San Jacinto Street, on the right when traveling south.
Married after 1876 to Mollie Turner (1837-1919), daughter of an early Trinity pioneer, Ranald McDonald (1848-1931) settled on his land along the Trinity River. He bought this lot in 1890 and hired John Denton Gibbs to erect this Victorian house in . . . — — Map (db m206839) HM
On South Railroad Street at East Main Street on South Railroad Street.
The Gibson family was among the early settlers of Trinity County, with George Gibson settling in Sumpter in 1857 and later marrying Elzirah Ann White. They and their family moved to the new railroad and lumber center of Trinity Station in 1872. . . . — — Map (db m232050) HM
On Prospect Drive (State Highway 19) at Pine Valley Drive, on the right when traveling north on Prospect Drive.
In 1907 Thompson Brothers Lumber Company built a mill and 37 acre pond at Trinity. Texas Long Leaf Lumber Company which started at Willard in 1912, bought Thompson Brothers Trinity Mill in 1922. Under management of Paul Sanderson for 22 years, the . . . — — Map (db m206899) HM
On South Robb Street (State Highway 19) at Old Huntsville Highway (Farm to Market Road 1617), on the left when traveling north on South Robb Street.
The Trinity Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church traces its beginnings to 1882 when it was established as a mission church. The Reverend W.M. Apling was appointed as the first pastor.
Land for a church site was donated in 1887 by the New . . . — — Map (db m206834) HM
On West Main Street (Farm to Market Road 230) at South Maple Street, on the left when traveling west on West Main Street.
On September 28, 1881, the Trinity & Sabine Railway Co. was chartered as a logging tram connecting with the International & Great Northern (I&GN) Railroad. The line was intended to run east to the Sabine River but only extended as far as Colmesneil. . . . — — Map (db m206840) HM
