Built in 1860 by John and Rebecca Gardner, this was a stage coach stop on the Big Trees Carson Valley Road. A toll road from 1862 – 1910. The hotel served as a depot for stockmen and as a summer resort.
Noted for its ice cold . . . — — Map (db m57983) HM
Built is 1861 by Antonio and Caterina Gagliardo. Served as a Post Office and social center for the community of Douglas Flat. A hand dug well located next to the store supplied Douglas Flat with good fresh water and remains in good shape today. . . . — — Map (db m58852) HM
Richest placer mining section, extending five miles, in Calaveras County. Received name from Chileans who worked gulch in 1848 and 1849, and scene of the so-called Chilean War. Largest known quartz crystals recovered from mine on south side of gulch. — — Map (db m11515) HM
Mokelumne is an Indian word, first applied to the nearby river. Earliest settlement was at Happy Valley by French trappers. Gold was discovered by discharged members of Stevenson's Regiment in 1848. Center of the richest placer mining section of . . . — — Map (db m12996) HM
Patented as a townsite in 1872, this early
town derived its name from a sawmill
located here. A post office established at
Mountain Ranch in 1856 was moved to
El Dorado in 1868 and El Dorado has thus
become known as Mountain Ranch. . . . — — Map (db m239835) HM
E Clampus Vitus-What mystery and magic that name recalls! Mystery as to its meaning which is unknown; magic as its name conjures the Golden Days of California’s statehood. E Clampus Vitus was established in West Virginia in the 1840’s by Ephraim Bee . . . — — Map (db m122664) HM
One of the principal mining communities in Calaveras County, named for the discoverer of gold on the flat in 1849. The objective of many immigrants coming over the Sierras by Ebbetts Pass, Murphys Flat and surrounding mines produced 20,000,000 . . . — — Map (db m149203) HM
This home was built by Charles A. and Catherine Caswell Curtis in July 1853. The home comprised four rooms and side porches. The original canvas ceiling was later covered with pine. The original pine plank flooring and cellar both still exist today. . . . — — Map (db m218940) HM
Constructed by Peter L. Traver in 1856, this is the oldest stone building in Murphys. Its iron shutters and sand on the roof protected it from the fires of 1859, 1874, and 1893. It served as a general store, a Wells Fargo office, and later a garage. — — Map (db m2611) HM
A thriving mining camp on rich Pennsylvania Gulch in the 1850’s and 1860’s. Named for Alfred Brown, former owner of Table Mountain Ranch. Laws of Brownsville Mining District provided that each miner could own one wet and one dry claim, not to exceed . . . — — Map (db m11501) HM
Built about 1891 of local lava rock by James Valente, custom bootmaker & dealer in hats. His boots brought the then high cost of $10.00 & wore well for years. After his demise, his widow Kate, continued sales with aid of their son, Leo, who repaired . . . — — Map (db m16101) HM
[Left Column]
Mr. and Mrs. Calhoun
Elva Lucy Drennan
Mr. Hussky
[Right Column]
John Laplasse
Christian Kientz
Henry Christian Kientz
---Were known to have been buried at Poverty Bar Cemetery now covered by . . . — — Map (db m13020) HM
Located on the Stockton-Murphy Road at the fourth crossing of the Calaveras River, this early mining settlement, once called Foremans, was famous in the 1850's for its rich placer ores. Later, it became an important stage and freighting depot and . . . — — Map (db m11969) HM
Settled by Mexicans in 1848. Named after Catholic Parish of St. Andrew. First newspaper published here Sept. 24, 1856. Destroyed by fire June 4, 1858 and in 1863. County seat of Calaveras County since 1866. Rendezvous of Joaquin Murietta. Black . . . — — Map (db m11503) HM
The discovery of gold in 1860 on George Johnson's Sheep Ranch, by Harvey Childers led to the birth of the community. In the 1870's the town included a Catholic and Protestant Church, a post office, a two teacher school with 30 students, and the . . . — — Map (db m102263) HM
First located in 1867, the fabulous Sheep Ranch Mine produced more than 8 million dollars in gold while in operation. Aquired in 1877, by senator George Hearst, K.B. Haggin and associates. It was operated continuously by the Hearst firm until 1893, . . . — — Map (db m102288) HM
For more than 80 years, the area was known as Onion Valley due to the profusion of wild onions growing here. It was mainly used as a summer stock range. In the late 1860-70’s a sawmill was operated by C. Brown. Later a man called “Turkey” Johnson . . . — — Map (db m40974) HM
The store was built in 1851 and opened for business in 1852 by the Dinkelspiel family, who had recently emigrated from Germany. The buildings were made of rhyolite tuff blocks from the Altaville Quarry. The small adjoining building originally used . . . — — Map (db m11967) HM
One of California's important early day mining towns named by Mexicans meaning Little Valley. Gold was discovered here by the Murphy Brothers on 1849. It was originally called "Murphys' Old Diggings". This bell was cast at Troy N.Y. in 1853. . . . — — Map (db m6841) HM
Gwin Mine, Paloma, and Lower Rich Gulch were mined for placer in 1849. Quartz was discovered by J. Alexander in 1851. Property acquired by Wm. M. Gwin, California's first U.S. Senator, in 1851. The Gwin Mine closed, in 1908, yielded millions. — — Map (db m14449) HM
This site, in 1849, was a trading center for pioneer miners of Northwestern Calaveras County. It was named after the gulch where William and Dan Carsner found large nuggets imbedded in the course sand.
Water for mining was brought from the Middle . . . — — Map (db m11975) HM
Named by famous scout Kit Carson while searching for pass over Sierras. One emigrant road forked at Big Meadows, and north branch came directly to West Point. A thriving trading post prior to gold discovery. Bret Harte, famous author, lived here for . . . — — Map (db m44371) HM
[ Dedication plaque mounted on Pine Tree near entrance to the park: ]
Bruce Linebaugh
In memory of
Bruce Linebaugh
Member of one of
White Pines
founding families.
Log truck driver
for over 50 years,
and faithful . . . — — Map (db m34589) HM
In 1859 Tacitus Ryland Arbuckle located a homestead in the Sacramento Valley, and in 1875 had the land plotted for a town site. The legendary Arbuckle founded the town, deeded the lots, furnished the nails, and helped build the first houses in what . . . — — Map (db m54548) HM
This house, also called the Tin House because of its pressed metal siding has a symmetrical façade that is suggestive of a Colonial Revival influence. In the 1890’s a flour mill was located on this site but eventually closed because of continued . . . — — Map (db m72987) HM
Site of the first Catholic mass to be said in Colusa County, May 1856. In 1864, a Catholic mission was conducted and a large wooden cross erected to commemorate the occasion. Masses, pilgrimages and visits were made here continuously thereafter. In . . . — — Map (db m6144) HM
This valley was settled in 1855 by Jack and David
Lett. The present lake spillway is the site of a
tunnel built by them to facilitate drainage. Both
brothers were killed in 1877, at the site of the
present camp grounds, in an attempt to . . . — — Map (db m241713) HM
President First Constitutional
Convention September 4, 1849.
A member of the Bear Flag Party
June, 1846. One of the founders
of Colusa 1850. Died Oct. 1854. — — Map (db m18130) HM
Spurs and Branding Irons
California Cowhides are Big Business
After Spain's rule in the New World ended in 1821, the newly
established government of Mexico began the process of distributing
the mission lands. The area where you . . . — — Map (db m185763) HM
John M. & Mary Ann Smith Jones, lived at this location from 1851 - 1866. They came out west in a prairie schooner. Here John opened the only post office between Martinez and Mission San Jose on May 18, 1852. Mary Ann was his deputy while her . . . — — Map (db m93991) HM
Squire Silas Stone emigrated with his family from Iowa in 1853 and settled half mile east of this marker. The pioneer's home stood nearby until 1957. His son Albert eventually expanded the ranch to 800 acres and gave the family name to the present . . . — — Map (db m93667) HM
IN THE LATE 19TH CENTURY, local farmers, ranchers and businessmen began to campaign for a railroad into the San Ramon Valley. This plan came to fruition in 1890 when the Southern Pacific RR started construction of its San Ramon Valley line. The . . . — — Map (db m153307) HM
This Plaque commemorates the arrival
of the first settlers in Antioch.
September 16, 1850
Led by Captain George W. Kimball
the party sailed from Maine aboard the
California Packet No.2 March 1850
And reached San Francisco Bay
August . . . — — Map (db m37593) HM
This city was named 100 years ago for Antioch in Syria were the disciples of Jesus Christ were first called Christians. -- (Acts 11:26)
Today we rededicate ourselves to him in grateful memory of our founding fathers who envisioned a city and a . . . — — Map (db m93607) HM
Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve is the site of California's largest coal field. From the mid-1850s to the early 1900s, a dozen mines supplied nearly four million tons of coal to the expanding urban and industrial centers of the San Francisco . . . — — Map (db m197398) HM
This area was the original site of the coal mining town of Somersville. The town was located here because of the availability of good drinking water. When the railroad arrived in 1866, water could be hauled from the San Joaquin River and the town . . . — — Map (db m93608) HM
From the mid-1850s to the early 1900s, this was the site of an active coal mining town. Somersville was one of five towns that existed during the mining boom of the Mt. Diablo Coal Field. At the peak of operation, it is believed that Somersville and . . . — — Map (db m93628) HM
This little house built by the McCoy's in 1861, at their ranch on the side of Kirker Pass, served as their first home. As time passed and the ranch became established, a much larger farmhouse was built for the family. It was then that the 2 room . . . — — Map (db m93574) HM
This house, which serves as the museum of the East Contra Costa Historical Society, was originally built by Johnson and Elizabeth Fancher in 1878. In the early 1880's the Frachers sold the house and surrounding acreage to John and Letitia Byer. In . . . — — Map (db m189371) HM
Builders of the stone house 1856
Abby Marsh died August 1855
John Marsh first doctor in California arrived 1836
Born 1799, Murdered Sept. 24 1856 — — Map (db m94654) HM
HISTORY
Round Valley Regional Preserve was once home to California Indians. It was probably a boundary between several different tribal groups, an area where members of East Bay and San Joaquin Valley groups met periodically to trade and . . . — — Map (db m199528) HM
Miwok Indians inhabited this valley at the base of Mt. Diablo when Spanish explorers came in the 1770’s. Scouts, trappers, prospectors and settlers followed.
In 1857 Clayton was founded by Joel Clayton, a miner, farmer, and wagonmaster from . . . — — Map (db m59954) HM
This site's earliest known history (5000+ years ago), is a Bay Miwok, Chupcan tribelet
village site. The Chupcans used the local plants, wildlife, and natural resources for
food, medicine, materials, and ceremony.
This site became Lot 5 of . . . — — Map (db m190226) HM
Pioneers, miners & cowboys along with ranching and farming have
all been important parts of Clayton's history. Founded by Joel
Clayton in 1857, he laid out the downtown, established his cattle
ranch and planted 28 acres of vineyards.
When . . . — — Map (db m190219) HM
Born in Mexico in 1832 the renowned "Robin Hood of the El Dorado" spent his early days in Californa working in Contra Costa County as a vaquero before turning bandit.
Dedicated By
Joaquin Murrieta Chapter No. 13
E Clampus Vitus
November . . . — — Map (db m24567) HM
As early as 2000 BC, this area was home to the Volvon Miwok Native Americans. Many artifacts of their lifestyle were found when American settlers arrived in the 1800s.
Under the Homestead Act between 1862 and 1872, Clayton's founder, Joel Clayton . . . — — Map (db m150414) HM
Joel Clayton owned the property facing Morris Street from 1857 to 1870. His estate sold the lots to J. H. Keller in 1877 who built a house, slaughter house, butcher shop, and barn.
George Scammon owed most of the remaining lots and planted . . . — — Map (db m150416) HM
Joel Clayton, who founded Clayton in 1857, had this house built circa 1860, where Mitchell Creek meets Mount Diablo Creek.
After his death in 1872 the land was sold and the house had various uses. The Clayton Historical Society acquired it and in . . . — — Map (db m59948) HM
Don Salvio Pacheco was born on July 15, 1793 in Monterey, Alta California. After serving in the Monterey Militia for many years, he petitioned the Territorial Deputation Council of the Mexican government for a Land Grant in 1834. With the possession . . . — — Map (db m206217) HM
Lt. Colonel Juan Bautista De Anza by decree of Carlos III of Spain led an expedition near this site - the mission being to colonize the San Francisco Bay Area — — Map (db m155569) HM
Crockett Ranch Staging Area is the gateway to 1,300 acres of scenic and secluded parkland that make up Crockett Hills Regional Park. Long held as private ranchland, the area has always offered a quiet counterpoint to the hustle and bustle of the . . . — — Map (db m190311) HM
This was the first American home in Crockett. Constructed in 1867 by Thomas Edwards, Sr., on land purchased in 1866 from Judge J.B. Crockett. Located on an earlier Indian village near the Carquinez Straits, its timbers, some of which were brought . . . — — Map (db m12153) HM
Albert J. Young and Mary Shuey Young built this Victorian home in 1870. This was her home for 63 years.
A.J. Young was a long time local educator and church leader. — — Map (db m94012) HM
This property, site of the first building constructed in 1858, was owned by pioneer Daniel Inman (1827-1908) for whom Danville was named.
The property was purchased by James E. Close (1848-1904), who operated a blacksmith shop, in 1875. In 1907 . . . — — Map (db m93670) HM
This early home was constructed by the Howard brothers
in 1866 and is the oldest original building in downtown Danville.
It was built for Postmaster Michael and
Matilda Cohen behind the Cohen general store. Dr.
Victor and Claire Vecki moved . . . — — Map (db m152843) HM
This Queen Anne style cottage matched
several other cottages which were once located
along the east side of Hartz Avenue. Harvey R.
Eddy bought this property in 1903 and deeded
the home to his mother Mary A. Eddy. She and
other "Eddy . . . — — Map (db m152687) HM
Originally owned by August Hemme in 1852, just after
California achieved statehood, this land was purchased in 1911
by the San Francisco Protestant Orphanage Asylum.
Camp Swain was built to give foster children a warm summer
away from cold . . . — — Map (db m153113) HM
Once surrounded by beehives and pear
orchards, this Victorian-Queen Anne Cottage
was built by Joel Haden Boone, descendant
of Daniel Boone. Joel married Sophie,
daughter of pioneer Robert Beatty Love.
Daughter Ina Boone married James . . . — — Map (db m152831) HM
Settling in Danville from Virginia, early pioneers Robert B. Love and Amelia Harvey Love owned most of the land that is now “West Danville.” Once surrounded by orchards and a bee farm, this is one of the oldest remaining original farmhouses in . . . — — Map (db m202119) HM
Hard working Irish immigrants,
Edward and Mary McCauley, moved their
family to the Tassajara Valley in 1868.
They operated a 162 acre farm
near present day McCauley Road.
In 1892 they purchased the original
"Danville Hotel" from John Hartz . . . — — Map (db m152847) HM
This Victorian style house was built around 1885 and was purchased by Adolphus Podva and Mary Alma McPherson for ten gold coins. In 1911, one of their three sons, Roger and his wife Ruby May Oswill, purchased it and lived there until 1977. Ruby May . . . — — Map (db m202118) HM
Original home of John and Leila Shuey.
John was postmaster from 1889-1893.
They owned a general store and the
hay and grain warehouse west of the
Danville Train Depot.
They lived in the house until 1938.
Adolphus LaMay and Marion Cecile . . . — — Map (db m152834) HM
Mount Diablo, sacred to Native Americans who lived and worshipped there for over 5,000 years became a critical reference point for Spanish explorers in the 18th century, and American trappers and early California settlers in the 19th. In 1851 . . . — — Map (db m17541) HM
Italian immigrants were a major ethnic community in El Cerrito. Establishments in the heart of Little Italy included Tezzi's Italian cooperativa, Fandio Bortolotti's barber shop, Cisi's Dry Goods, Louie's Club, Poloni's Bakery, . . . — — Map (db m94198) HM
{North-facing side:}
This
Monument
marks the
Northern
Boundary
of the
Rancho
San Antonio
43,473 acres
granted by
Governor Pablo Vicente de Sola
acting for the King of Spain
to Don Luis Maria Peralta
August 3, . . . — — Map (db m36728) HM
Four hundred feet west of this plaque Victor Ramon Castro
1817 - 1900 built three adobe dwellings, the south one in
late 1830's the main one or west one in 1840's the
north in late 1840's They with later additions were
destroyed by fire April . . . — — Map (db m144264) HM
The founder of Lafayette built
his principal home in this vicinity in 1858.
"Squire” Brown purchased the
Rancho Acalanes in 1847, upon
which he raised cattle and grain,
and served as the miller for the
area.
He became Alcalde of the . . . — — Map (db m145017) HM
In this location on the Rancho Acalanes, Elam
and Margaret Allen Brown founded Lafayette by
building their first house, a crude affair
constructed while Mrs. Brown prepared dinner.
In 1849, they erected a horse powered grist
mill across the . . . — — Map (db m184240) HM
Benjamin Shreve, the settlement's
earliest known schoolteacher, entered
the general merchandise business in
1855. Credited with naming the town,
he was appointed first postmaster of
Lafayette in 1857. He erected this
building in the early . . . — — Map (db m152802) HM
Built in 1879 by James
Bickerstaff on a dirt road
that is now Mt. Diablo
Blvd. Daughter, Jennie
Bickerstaff (Rosenberg),
lived in the house for 85
years. It was razed in 1964
to build a market which is
now at 3615 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Jennie was . . . — — Map (db m184239) HM
This lowland marsh area, now known as McNabney Marsh, was first visited by
the Bay Miwok's Chupcan people. This local tribelet is thought to have consisted
of about 200 people. With the vast fishing, hunting, and plant resources of the
bay, . . . — — Map (db m145094) HM
Dedicated to the family of Don Ignacio Martinez, who settled El Rancho Pinole in 1830. Many of his descendants rest here, members of one of Contra Costa's first families. — — Map (db m53061) HM
William Hook came to the California gold country in 1850 to sell mining equipment and build mining machinery. In 1853 Hook opened a general store at the corner of Ferry and Main Streets in Martinez. Over the years Hook brought up land in Contra . . . — — Map (db m93510) HM
In 1865, at the age of 17, James Rankin emigrated from a Scottish coal mining town after hearing of the "Black Gold" in Contra Costa. He worked with pick and shovel in the underground mines of Somersville.
In 1885, Rankin was elected . . . — — Map (db m93506) HM
Vicente Martínez was born in Santa Barbara on August 18, 1818, the second son of Don Ygnacio and Martina de Arellano Martínez who were married in the Presidio Chapel at Santa Barbara 1802. Don Ygnacio Martínez was a Spanish officer at San Diego and . . . — — Map (db m50827) HM
In 1849, Vicente Martinez built a two-story adobe ranch house on his portion of the Rancho Pinole. This land was inherited from his father, Don Ignacio Martinez, a Spanish officer who became Comandante of the San Francisco Presidio and later Alcade . . . — — Map (db m50821) HM
In 1857, Lot No. 1, a quarter section of Rancho Laguna De Los
Palos Colorados was bought by a squatter, Jesse Williams,
from Jose de Jesus Moraga. In 1906, the land was then
purchased by Manuel Lucas and 10 years later, 20 acres were
sold to . . . — — Map (db m136516) HM
Grandfather of the co-grantee of Rancho Laguna de los Palos Colorados, he founded San Francisco by establishing there the Mission and Royal Presidio of St. Francis in 1776. In 1777 he founded the Mission Santa Clara and the Pueblo of San Jose. . . . — — Map (db m91803) HM
Named for Joaquin Moraga, who in 1835 was granted 13,000 acres from the Mexican government and established Rancho Laguna de Los Palos Colorados. A Moraga townsite was conceived by A.A. Grant and J.A. Williamson in 1894. James Irvine purchased a . . . — — Map (db m31102) HM
The Juan Bautista de Anza Expedition of 1775-1776 traveled with
240 settlers, soldiers, and others 1,800 miles from Sonora, Mexico
to Monterey, California. Anza then traveled with a much smaller
group to San Francisco and the East Bay to discover . . . — — Map (db m190230) HM
Orinda's Theatre
District, historically
known as the
Crossroads, was
developed in the early
20th century after
homes were built
around the established
ranches. More families,
such as the Bryants,
settled or built summer
homes here. It is . . . — — Map (db m136738) HM
Built in 1841, the Joaquin Moraga Adobe in Orinda is the oldest surviving building in Contra Costa County. It has been recognized as a California State Historic Landmark since 1954, and was designated as an Orinda City Landmark in 1995.
The . . . — — Map (db m158344) HM
Ordinance Number 03-07
October 7, 2003
The junction of three Mexican land grants - Rancho Acalanes, Rancho El Sobrante and Rancho Laguna de los Palos Colorados - is located approximately 500 feet uphill from the end of Hillcrest Drive. . . . — — Map (db m91848) HM
Located on hiking trail one quarter mile south east
of this point is the intersecting corner of Ranchos
Acalanes, El Sobrante and Boca de la Canada del
Pinole.
Rancho Acalanes
3,329 acres granted to Candelario Valencia
by Governor Jose . . . — — Map (db m178377) HM
Orinda’s Village District was the first hub of the town. It was developed in the late 19th century when homes were built on the surrounding ranches by the de Laveagas, Miners, Sullivans, and Wagners. Public buildings first appeared here in the early . . . — — Map (db m222699) HM
This monument marks the site of Pinole's birthplace and the center of its activities until the early 20th Century. The beginning of Pinole was built on the waterfront and around the mouth of Pinole Creek during the latter half of the 19th Century. . . . — — Map (db m94258) HM
In 1860, at the confluence of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers, settlers founded the village of Black Diamond. Named for the coal that was mined in the Mount Diablo foothills, the village of Black Diamond flourished as a shipping port for coal . . . — — Map (db m91846) HM
Patrick Rodgers left Ireland for America C. 1843 at the age of 10, without his family. In 1855, he arrived in California for the Gold Rush. In 1868, he and his wife, Mary Ann, bought this 149-acre site to grow wheat. The Rodgers, along with eight . . . — — Map (db m99625) HM
"We didn't think
the streets were paved with gold or anything,
but we thought in California we could mix and mingle and get along."
Wilbur Wheat
The Southern Pacific Railroad Depot – Richmond's historic gateway -
greeted . . . — — Map (db m153482) HM
Lt. Colonel Juan Bautista de Anza by Decree of Carlo III of Spain led an expedition near this site — the mission being to colonize the San Francisco Bay Area
In the center of the marker is a circular motif, designed by Doris Birkland . . . — — Map (db m24728) HM
San Ramon's Pioneers
American pioneers first came to San Ramon in 1850 when Leo and Mary Jane Norris
purchased 4,450 acres of land from Jose Amador's Rancho San Ramon. Other early
landowners were William and Mary Lynch, James and . . . — — Map (db m155606) HM
Walnut Creek's Old Borges Ranchhouse, as the cornerstone of a working cattle ranch, was first built by Frank (Francisco) and his wife Mary Borges, their sons and daughters in 1899. Since then, this house has withstood five generations of the hard . . . — — Map (db m93983) HM
First called "The Corners," Walnut Creek evolved at the junction of the region's two main roads - Pacheco (running from Martinez to San Jose) and Lafayette (running west to Oakland). The Oak Saloon stood at the junction. The town was named Walnut . . . — — Map (db m93726) HM
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