Capture Calif

Capture California

What is a YOLT? Well, you may have heard the term YOLO. Gary and Sherri think we can live again, not as James Bond, but as being reborn. Consequently, we are having fun in our life, after all, You Only Live Twice.

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Adventure 051, Site 095 – Fresno Free Speech Fight

Capture California, the Game-2012
Adventure: 051, Site 095 – Fresno Free Speech Fight
California Landmark Number: 873
Team: Thing One, Thing Two
Date:  September 30, 2012
Location:
Latitude: N 36° 44.079
Longitude: W 119° 47.484
Address: In planter, 100 ft SW of clock tower, Broadway and Mariposa Mall, Fresno


 Description:
We took two attempts to find this site. The first time was two weeks ago. We walked around the Fulton Mall trying to find it. There was a celebration of Mexican Independence Day going on. But we looked, even around a parking lot close to the mall. But today, armed with a little more information, we walked right to the marker.



It is amazing to us that in the turn the last century, Fresno was a hot bed of activism. This plaque commemorates the second fight for free speech by the Industrial Workers of the World, the first being in Spokane. In 1910, Police Chief Shaw started to crack down on public assembly of the workers union. This was done in conjunction with the local newspaper, the Fresno Morning Republican. On April 17th, an assembly was made, with a permit. A Mexican speaker spoke to the crowd and the police stopped the meeting because the Mexican was criticizing the police officials. A W.F. Little showed the assembly permit and continued the speaking. A news paper article tried to show how violent the IWW could become. A couple of days later, two vagrants, who were part of the IWW, was jailed. By June, the police chief had revoked all street-speaking permits. The IWW was notified that any talk against business interests is treason. The police also said they would arrest any man who refused a job. The summer time was a time of simmering tensions as the IWW waited until after harvest time to launch a strike, while officials claimed the IWW was an anarchist organization. By September, the IWW was refused a place in the Labor Day parade—the AFL was in the parade. As the Fall wore on, the IWW was mobilizing from all over the Nation to descend on Fresno to force the issue of can workers be organized. The tactics in Fresno by officials was to stifle the freedom of assembly and speech. By mid-October 250 men has descended into the IWW camp. The fight would boil and then die down for a month. Then in early December, on of the leaders was acquitted because there was no law stating he needed a permit to speak on the streets. A few days later a gang attacked the IWW camp, beating the workers and setting fire to the camp when the IWW tried to exercise their freedom of speech. This had the effect of being picked up the national news and more workers started coming to Fresno. It was reported that at times over 5,000 hobos and workers were streaming their way to Fresno. By this time, Fresno was tired and overwhelmed by the invasion and negotiated with the IWW. The effect was to allow free speech on the streets.






State of California Historical Resources
NO. 873 SITE OF THE FRESNO FREE SPEECH FIGHT OF THE INDUSTRIAL WORKERS OF THE WORLD - At the corner of Mariposa and I Streets, from October 1910 to March 1911, the Industrial Workers of the World fought for the right of free speech in their efforts to organize Fresno's unskilled labor force. This was the first fight for free speech in California, and the first attempt to organize the valley's unskilled workers.
Location: In planter, 100 ft SW of clock tower, Broadway and Mariposa Mall, Fresno



References:



Overall Landmark References:
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , ,
Location: Broadway St & Mariposa Mall, Fresno, CA 93721, USA

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Adventure: 117 – National Public Lands Day

Capture California, the Game-2012
Adventure: 117 – National Public Lands Day
Team: Thing One, Thing Two
Date:  September 29, 2012
Location: Pine Flat Lake, Island Park Campground
Description:

Thing One and Thing Two are a couple hiking fools. Give us a trail and we will hike. So given the opportunity to return the favor for such a wondrous gift as we have here in California, we go for it. Originally Thing One and Thing Two were going to be up at Lassen Volcanic National Park, but that did not work out. So we started looking for something locally. A project up at Pine Flat Lake looked interesting, so we contacted Jerry Gonzalez of the US Army Corp of Engineers and we were off.



This project was to Construct a walkway to the amphitheater and maintain utility sites. They had a bit less of a turn out than expected so we got most of the amphitheater project done. There already was a walkway, but it is not handicapped accessible. So the plan is to put up 4” wood sides to an existing pathway, then put down a special kind of sand to provide a smooth, hard pathway to allow wheelchairs on it. This would work with the gravel already on the path.



Thing One and Thing Two rakes gravel, put down timbers and pounded re-bar into the ground. Also we assisted in the food preparation. We were tired, but content to have helped in this project.



Project Web Site: http://www.publiclandsday.org/npld-sites/pine-flat-lake-island-park-campground






Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , ,
Location: Pine Flat Lake, California, USA

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Adventure 051, Site 140 – Knights Ferry

Capture California, the Game-2012
Adventure: 051, Site 140 – Knights Ferry
California Landmark Number: 347

Team: Thing One, Thing Two
Date:  September 27, 2012
Location:
Latitude: 37° 48.519′ N
Longitude: 120° 39.947′ W
Address: On Sonora Rd, 1.4 mi W of State Hwy 120 (P.M. 16.4), Knights Ferry

Description:

One question which came up on our travel is, did the same Knight which operated the Knights Foundry give Knights Ferry its name? No. The Knight of Knights Ferry was a member of the Fremont expedition of 1844. His name was William Knight.

There is several things noteworthy about Knight's Ferry. First, that William Knight was murdered-there are varying stories of how. But eventually the Dent family took over the area. In 1854 the George Dent was visited by his brother-in-law. His brother-in-law was an engineer of sorts and designed him the covered bridge which now spans the Stanislaus River. By the way, the brother-in-law? His name was U.S. Grant, like in General Grant.

By the way, there are two markers for this California Historical Landmark—they are across the highway from each other and are identical.



NO. 347 KNIGHTS FERRY - Once called Dentville, this picturesque mining center and trading post was founded in 1849. An early ferry carried Argonauts on their way to the southern mines. The rare wooden covered bridge, reportedly designed by U. S. Grant, brother-in-law of the Dent brothers, and the old flour mill were built there in 1854. The town served as the county seat from 1862 to 1872.
Location: On Sonora Rd, 1.4 mi W of State Hwy 120 (P.M. 16.4), Knights Ferry



Inscription from Noehill:
Picturesque mining center and trading post, 1849, once called Dentville. Early ferry to the southern mines; county seat 1862-72; rare wooden covered bridge reputedly designed by U. S. Grant, brother-in-law of the Dent brothers, 1854; old flour mill, 1854.



References:



Overall Landmark References:
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , ,
Location: Knights Ferry, CA 95361, USA

Adventure: 051, Site 138 – National Hotel


Capture California, the Game-2012
Adventure: 051, Site 138 – National Hotel
No numbered plaque on site

Team: Thing One, Thing Two
Date:  September 27, 2012
Location:
Latitude: 37° 57.164′ N
Longitude: 120° 25.383′ W
Address: 18183 Main Street, Jamestown CA

Description:
Date Built: 1859

As you may be able to tell from some of the history, this hotel is not a stately, upper-brow lodging place, but a place which fit its time. Still when we saw the hotel, we were really hoping to find a plaque—and we did. It looks like it should be part of the history of Jamestown.



Inscription from HMDB:
This historic Gold Rush Landmark, built in 1859 by Heinrich Neilson as the Hotel Europe, housed miners and notables: offered lodging, meals and a saloon. The original building was badly damaged by fire of 1901 and 1927.

Renamed the National Hotel in early 1900’s it is one of the oldest continuously operated hotels in the Mother Lode. Present owners-partners took over in 1974. Their restoration has preserved much of the past such as the use of the original bar.



Some interesting items from the hotel's history site:
During Prohibition, the National Hotel was raided several times. as read in The Union Democrat of January 5, 1927, which stated that government agents were looking for liquor. Agents seized; 9 - 50 gallon barrels of wine, 1 - 100 gallon barrel of wine, 1 - demijohn of wine, 2 - 10 gallon kegs of brandy and corn whiskey. Owner, Joe Graziano was fined $500
Legalized prostitution was conducted here until the late 1930's and gambling including slot machines until 1949.
The original back bar is still utilized today and a working cash register dating to 1881 is also in view, although it is handicapped by the fact that a maximum of $6.95 can be rung at any one time. Much of the wood wainscoting which is visible throughout the building is original, although it was originally built as floor to ceiling wall paneling.
A gold mine shaft remains at the rear of the garden courtyard, although it is covered and usually full of water. Someday, we may open it and add a water fountain.






References:



Overall Landmark References:
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , ,
Location: 18183 Main St, Jamestown, CA 95327, USA

dventure 051, Site 137 – Jamestown

Capture California, the Game-2012
Adventure: 051, Site 137 – Jamestown
California Landmark Number: 431

Team: Thing One, Thing Two
Date:  September 27, 2012
Location:
Latitude: 37° 57.199′ N
Longitude: 120° 25.378′ W
Address: Marker is mounted on a mine-car at the southwest corner of Rocca Park, Jamestown

Description:

We come into town looking for the Jamestown state marker and pass by this little park. Is that where it is? After parking the car, we come across the Ramirez-Preston Building and then back to the park. Yes we do find a sign. But is it the state marker? There are no state emblems or numbers? Even as we write this, we are not sure. But we do see it is commemorating Jamestown as a historical place. And it is, between being Railtown 1897 and having a historical district, the town just oozes with time-warp. So we too celebrate what was.



From the State Historical Landmarks(our plaque is the same as HMDB):

NO. 431 JAMESTOWN - James Woods first discovered gold in Tuolumne County west of this point, on Woods Creek, shortly before the town was founded by Colonel George James on August 8, 1848. Large quantities of gold were recovered from the stream. The town became known as gateway to the Mother Lode and the southern mines.
Location: NE corner of Main and Donovan Sts, Jamestown



Inscription from HMDB:
Founded in 1848, one mile from the first gold find in Tuolumne County, at Woods Crossing. Arriving in 1849, Col. George F. James, a merchant popular for supplying free champagne to patrons, was elected acalde, and the town was dubbed “Jamestown.” Poor mining investments indebted him and he quietly left town. Angry miners changed the name of the town to “American Camp.” Eventually, “Jamestown” was restored. Jamestown’s population was approximately 4,000, before the devastating fire of October, 1885.



About Jamestown from HMDB:
This site was designated as California Registered Historical Landmark No.431 on March 16, 1949.

Colonel George James came from San Francisco and had Native Americans and other miners working for him. He lived lavishly with a well stocked tent and trading post and the town was named in his honor after he plied the locals with free champagne. He suddenly left one night leaving many unpaid and in anger they changed the name of the camp from Jamestown to American Camp. The name didn't catch on and the disrespectful name of "Jim Town" became its nickname. Then on May 25, 1851 the citizens voted and the official name of Jamestown won.



References:



Overall Landmark References:
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , ,
Location: Jamestown, CA, USA

Adventure 051, Site 139 – Jamestown Emporium


Capture California, the Game-2012
Adventure: 051, Site 139 – Jamestown Emporium
California Landmark: 431 (located within the historical district)
National Registry ID: 78000817

Team: Thing One, Thing Two
Date:  September 27, 2012
Location:
Latitude: 37° 57.165′ N
Longitude: 120° 25.4′ W
Address: 18184 Main Street, Jamestown CA

Description:
Date Built: 1897
Architect: C. H. Wilson



We did not find the marker for the Emporium. It may have been inside and we hit town a few minutes before sunset. But it was an impressive looking building and we are proud to have our picture and flag before the building. We were gratified to learn that it is on the national registry.



Inscription from HMDB:
C.H. Wilson, architect and builder of department store for J.W. Witney & Sons. Acquired by Moses Arendt within year. Mercantile and telephone exchange in early 1900’s. In 1928, sold to Jim Porter and Peter Barendregt. Jake Barendregt, Sr. operated a grocery store 1936-1967. Paul and Mallory Barendregt, Owners.



From NRHP:
Historically, the Emporium makes an important local contribution to the region's commercial patterns. The building served as a pioneer department store In Tuolumne County and was recognized as dealing in the finest clothing and furnishing goods in the county. J.W. Witney, its original owner, only occupied the building for six months. Moses Areant acquired and managed the business until 1928 when he sold it to Porter and Barendregt who continued the department store until 1969. In addition, between 1906 and 1923 the Emporium served as a telephone station for calls through the county.



References:



Overall Landmark References:
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , ,
Location: 18184 Main St, Jamestown, CA 95327, USA

Adventure 051, Site 134 – Sugg House


Capture California, the Game-2012
Adventure: 051, Site 134 – Sugg House
National Registry ID: 84001210


Team: Thing One, Thing Two
Date:  September 27, 2012
Location:
Latitude: 37° 59.016′ N
Longitude: 120° 22.881′ W
Address: 37 Theall Street, Sonora CA 95370

Description:
Date Built: 1857



Thing One and Thing Two were looking for a parking place when we went down Theall Stret. Found a parking lot when Thing Two said, look over there! Sure enough it was this oldish looking brick house. When we read the plaque, we thought oh wow, there is history here. As you can see by the inscription, William Sugg and his whole family were remarkable. It was really good to have found this out and a little more history in our backyard.



Inscription from HMDB:
In 1857, William Sugg, a freed slave, built this three-room brick-faced adobe house. The adobe blocks were made in the front yard. The walls are up to 18 inches thick. A wood frame kitchen was at the rear. As Sugg’s family eventually grew to 11 children, it became necessary to construct the wood frame addition. It was completed in the 1880’s. The rooms were occasionally rented out as “overflow” to the City Hotel. State law changes, in 1921, requiring hot and cold running water in every commercial room, ended that 41-year practice, the family not being able to afford the expense. The home was occupied by the Sugg family for 125 years. Grandson, Vernon Sugg McDonald, was the last to live in the house.
Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.



From HMDB:
Thousands of the miners who came during the Gold Rush were black, including about 500 in Tuolumne County. Often, miners came as slaves with their master along with an agreement that they would be freed after a certain amount of time mining gold, or found a certain amount of gold.

One black who came about 1850 with his master was William Sugg, who bought his freedom for a dollar in 1854. He established a business repairing and refurbishing leather harnesses and began building in 1857 what still stands as the Sugg House, a block east of Washington Street. Sugg was not wealthy and he made his own adobe bricks and made a roof from cut-up 5-gallon tin cans nailed to rafters.

William Sugg's wife, Mary Snelling, traveled across the country in a wagon train, ending up near what is now Merced. Mary, twelve years old, was the daughter of a white man and a black woman and had light black skin. Many of the Indians they encountered during the wagon trip saw Mary and believed that she was a kidnapped Indian and wanted to rescue her. Whenever Indians came near, she hid.
Source: Sonora Visitor - http://www.sonoravisitor.com/t/historyt.php?localarea=history&morechoices=y



References:



Overall Landmark References:
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , ,
Location: 37 Theall St, Sonora, CA 95370, USA

Adventure 051, Site 136 – Rameriz – Preston Building

Capture California, the Game-2012
Adventure: 051, Site 136 – Rameriz – Preston Building
Local Registry ID: TCHS #8-2003, Plaque #8

Team: Thing One, Thing Two
Date:  September 27, 2012
Location:
Latitude: 37° 57.179′ N
Longitude: 120° 25.383′ W
Address: Main Street and Lemon Drop Lane , Jamestown

Description:

We came along this marker while looking for the Jamestown marker. There it was. You think of the Gold Country as filled with men only, with no notable women. But here we are again with a women who had achieved things in her own right and according to, she was just one of several Mexican women who owned their own property and conducted successful businesses. She owned the building for 10+ years. The Masons met here until the lodge died out and Dr. Preston bought the building.



Inscription from HMDB:
Ignacia Ramirez, female pioneer and native of Mexico, earliest known owner of this Gold Rush building. Upstairs meeting hall of St. James Masonic Lodge #54, acquired 1877 by R.A. Preston. Jamestown Post Office in 1930’s; later medical office of Dr. James A. Hadley. Acquired by Donn Blount in 1994.



References:



Overall Landmark References:
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , ,
Location: Main St & Lemon Drop Ln, Jamestown, CA 95327, USA

Adventure 051, Site 135-City Hotel


Capture California, the Game-2012
Adventure: 051, Site 135-City Hotel
National Registry ID: 1983001248


Team: Thing One, Thing Two
Date:  September 27, 2012
Location:
Latitude: N 37° 59.010
Longitude: W 120° 22.915
Address: 145 S. Washington St., Sonora, CA USA


Description:
Date Built: 1852



You can envision the miners hanging around the front of the building, but none, except those who struck it rich probably slept here. Like the out-of-luck miner, we move on as well.



From the Waymarking site:
Alonzo Green, Sonora mayor in 1852 and 1853, and James Lane were associated in the building of the City Hotel in 1852. Constructed of slate, adobe, and red brick, it is one of the oldest buildings in Sonora. In the 1860s, it was purchased by Olivier Bemis. The street level part of the hotel had a large sitting room, bar and restaurant, with rooms upstairs. In the early 1900s, the hotel ran a horse pulled bus daily to meet the trains for the convenience of prospective guests."



From the NHRP:
The significance of the City Hotel in Sonora lies in its method of construction and its importance"in the community life of Tuolumne County. In addition, the City Hotel survives today, 130 years after it was built, one of Sonora's oldest buildings and certainly an example of a very early building still standing in California'-s Gold Rush country



References:



Overall Landmark References:
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , ,
Location: 145 S Washington St, Sonora, CA 95370, USA

Adventure 051, Site 130 – Carson Hill


Capture California, the Game-2012
Adventure: 051, Site 130 – Carson Hill
California Landmark Number: 274


Team: Thing One, Thing Two
Date:  September 27, 2012
Location:
Latitude: 38° 1.659′ N
Longitude: 120° 30.4′ W
Address: State Hwy 4 (P.M. 3.3), 3.7 mi S of Angels Camp on Hwy 49

Description:
No gold for us today, only Capture California points :-). On another plaque, there was a tribute to Jim Carson, which is noteworthy of the kind of man he was: James H. Carson (1821 - 1853) -- soldier, gold prospector and miner, writer, sportsman. Discovered gold at Carson's Creek. He inspired a mutual confidence between man and man.



There is another marker which commerates one of the E Clampus Vitus folk: He (ARCHIE STEVENOT ) was born Sept. 25, 1882 on the old Stevenot Homestead one-half mile west of this marker. Son of Emile K. and Sarah E. Stevenot and the grandson of Gabriel K. Stevenot, Calaveras County pioneer who pitched tent there in April, 1850.

Student, salesman, miner, rancher, post master, school board member and general superintendent of the nearby Carson Hill Mine, he has spent a productive lifetime in this region. He established the Mother Lode Highway Association in 1919, serving as president or director until 1950 when it joined into the Golden Chain Council. One of the organizers of the California State Chamber of Commerce. One of organizers of Mother Lode baseball league. A native son and one of the state's favorites, there is hardly an activity for the benefit of California and the Mother Lode with which he has not been identified.

To our Supreme Noble Grand Humbug of the Grand Council of E. Clampus Vitus, Inc. this marker is affectionately dedicated this 14th day of October, 1961.



NO. 274 CARSON HILL - Gold was discovered in the creek just below here in 1848 by James H. Carson, whose name was given to the creek, hill, and town. In November 1854 the largest gold nugget in California, weighing 195 pounds troy, was found. It was worth $43,000 at that time.
Location:  On State Hwy 4 (P.M. 3.3), 3.7 mi S of Angels Camp on Hwy 49



References:



Overall Landmark References:
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , ,
Location: Angels Camp, CA, USA

Adventure 051, Site 132 – Tuttletown

Capture California, the Game-2012
Adventure: 051, Site 132 – Tuttletown
California Landmark Number: 124


Team: Thing One, Thing Two
Date:  September 27, 2012
Location:
Latitude: 37° 59.45′ N
Longitude: 120° 27.71′ W
Address: approximately 7 miles north of Sonora on Highway 49

Description:

It is hard for Thing One to get excited about this place. Apparently the hotel which was here burnt down and now the standing establishment is a min-mart/bar combination. So we take our picture and move on.


NO. 124 TUTTLETOWN - This early-day stopping place for men and mounts was named for Judge Anson A. H. Tuttle, who built the first log cabin here in 1848. Stones used in the base for the plaque are from the old Swerer store built in 1854, remains of which still exist (1949). Mark Twain traded here. Tuttletown Hotel, built in 1852 and still standing in 1949, was last operated by John Edwards.
Location: On State Hwy 49 (P.M. 24.8) at Wilcox Ranch Rd, Tuttletown

Inscription from HMDB:
Early day stopping place for men and mounts. Named for Judge Anson A. H. Tuttle who built first log cabin here in 1848. Stones used in this base from old Swerer Store built in 1854, remains of which still exist, 1949. Mark Twain traded here. Tuttletown Hotel, built in 1852 and still standing in 1949, was last operated by John Edwards.



From HMDB:
Judging from historical photographs, the Tuttletown Hotel was a fairly impressive looking building for its day. Regrettably, based on discussion with current Tuttletown citizens, the Hotel burned down around the time this marker was erected. The site of the former hotel, about the only land flat enough to build on, is now occupied by the Red Barn, a combination bar and mini-grocery store






References:



Overall Landmark References:
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , ,
Location: Sonora, CA 95370, USA

Adventure 051, Site 133 – Shaw Flat

Capture California, the Game-2012
Adventure: 051, Site 133 – Shaw Flat
California Landmark Number: 134


Team: Thing One, Thing Two
Date:  September 27, 2012
Location:
Latitude: 38° 0.226′ N
Longitude: 120° 24.088′ W
Address: SE corner of Shaw's Flat Rd and Mt Brow Rd, 2.6 mi SW of Columbia

Description:

This is part of the Mark Twain-Bret Harte Trail which goes through parts of the Gold Country wheren Twain and Harte rambled. Shaw Flats is a little ways off of Highway 49. But with the miner's bell, it does leave something in the memory which other monuments do not. We continue down Shaw Flat Road into Sonora.



NO. 395 SHAW'S FLAT - In 1850 this community was alive with gold miners. James D. Fair, after whom the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco is named, was one of the most notable. The Mississippi House, built in 1850, contains many relics including the original bar and post office with its grill and mailboxes. On a nearby hill stands the old bell, given by miners, which summoned men to work and announced the convening of various courts. According to tradition, a local bartender added to his income by panning the gold dust dropped on his muddy boots as he served customers. Location: SE corner of Shaw's Flat Rd and Mt Brow Rd, 2.6 mi SW of Columbia



References:



Overall Landmark References:
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , ,
Location: Columbia, CA, USA

Adventure 051, Site 129 – Angel's Hotel


Capture California, the Game-2012
Adventure: 051, Site 129 – Angel's Hotel
California Landmark Number: 734
National Registry ID: 72000220


Team: Thing One, Thing Two
Date:  September 27, 2012
Location:
Latitude: 38° 4.117′ N
Longitude: 120° 32.358′ W.
Address: NE corner of Main St and Bird Way, Angels Camp

Description:
Date Built: 1856

As with the Leger Hotel in Molelume Hill, you want to stop and lounge around. But home we go and can only enjoy the whiff of air which Samuel Clemens had 150 years ago.

NO. 734 ANGELS HOTEL - The canvas hotel that C. C. Lake erected here in 1851 was replaced by a one-story wooden structure, and then in 1855 by one of stone - a second story was added in 1857. It was here that Samuel Clemens first heard the yarn that was later to bring him fame as Mark Twain, author of The Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.
Location:  NE corner of Main St and Bird Way, Angels Camp
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places:  NPS-72000220 






From Waymarking:
In 1863, a young aspiring journalist named Samuel Langhorne Clemens stayed in this hotel on his way from San Francisco, CA to Virginia City, NV. Here he heard a yarn about a notorious gambler who lost $40 to a con artist in a frog jumping competition. The story, The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County was first published in New York in 1865.
Not only the young journalist who later changed his name to Mark Twain gained fame through the story. It also put the tiny mining town Angels Camp on the world's map, and and since the late 1800s, the town celebrates the famous writer and its very own frog jumping history with an annual Frog Jumping Jubilee.
From NRHP:
The Angels Hotel was erected b£ C. C. Lake in 1851 at the northeast corner of Main Street and Chinatown Road (Bird Way). At first it was a huge canvas structure that was quickly replaced by a one story wooden building.... In 1855 Lake had the frame hotel torn down and on the site began the construction of a one story stone building, to which a second story was added in 1856.

Lake's commodious hotel was dedicated January 1, 1856 at which time a grand ball was given. It was during these early days that Mark Twain, who lived for a time with his friend Steve Gillis at Jackass Hill in Tuolumne County made visits to Angel's Camp (1860's)and stopped at the Angels Hotel. On one of his visits, Ross Coon, a bartender and part owner at the hotel, told him of the frog jump which had taken place on Main Street between Scribner's store and the Hotel. Mark Twain, thinking this a humorous event, on his return to Jackass Hill, wrote the story "The Jumping Frog of Calaveras County". Annual festivities at Angels Camp make use of this legend as the central theme of the celebration.



References:



Overall Landmark References:
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , ,
Location: S Main St & Birds Way, Angels Camp, CA 95222, USA

Adventure 051, Site 128 – Angel's Camp


Capture California, the Game-2012
Adventure: 051, Site 128 – Angel's Camp
California Landmark Number: 287


Team: Thing One, Thing Two
Date:  September 27, 2012
Location:
Latitude: 38° 4.113′ N
Longitude: 120° 32.365′ W
Address: NE corner of Main St and Birds Way, Angels Camp

Description:
Angel's Camp is noted for frog jumping. But in its day, frog jumping was just a side-light. The main attraction was that which glitters—to the tune of over $100 million dollars worth. But on top of this marker is the frog and that is what we take a picture of but, as Thing Two notices, there are plaques lining the sidewalk commemorating winners of frog jumps from previous years.

But Samuel Clemens, aka Mark Twain, owes Angels Camp a lot—probably as much as Angel's Camp owes mark Twain. The story of Jim Smilley as told in the Angel Hotel—see the next adventure—is what brought Twain to fame. You can read the story online at Gutenberg in Twain's book, Sketches New and Old.





NO. 287 ANGELS CAMP - Founded in 1849 by George Angel, who established a mining camp and trading store 200 feet below this marker, this was in a rich gravel mining area that was also one of the richest quartz mining sections of the Mother Lode-production records reached over $100 million for Angels Camp and vicinity. Prominent in early-day California history, it was said to be frequented by Joaquin Murieta, Black Bart, and other early-day bandits, and was the locale of Mark Twain's famous story, The Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.
Location:  NE corner of Main St and Birds Way, Angels Camp



From HMDB:
The Calaveras County Fair aka The Frog Jump Jubilee is held the third weekend in May. The main attraction of the fair is the annual frog jumping contest which is a tribute to the famous Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) short story The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.



References:



Overall Landmark References:
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , ,
Location: S Main St & Birds Way, Angels Camp, CA 95222, USA

Adventure 051, Site 127 – Altaville Foundry and Machine Works

Capture California, the Game-2012
Adventure: 051, Site 127 – Altaville Foundry and Machine Works
Local Registry ID: Unnumbered

Team: Thing One, Thing Two
Date:  September 27, 2012
Location:
Latitude: 38° 4.775′ N
Longitude: 120° 33.308′ W
Address: On Highway 49, Altaville

Description:
I think by now Thing One and Thing Two were going marker crazy. They thought they had bagged the marker for Altaville, instead it was the historical marker denoting the core of Altaville's prosperity—the Foundry and machine Works.



Inscription From HMDB:
Is the site of the longest running continuously operated foundry west of the Mississippi River. All quartz machinery needed for the numerous mines surrounding the Altaville, Angels Camp area was cast here. It was previously known as Altaville Foundry and Machine Works, Calavaras Iron & Steel Co., and lastly California Electric Steel Co. Previous owners: D.D. Demarest & T.H. Fullen, 1860, Lawrence Monte Verde & Demarest Family 1892, Lawrence Monte Verde Family 1928.
The State Landmark for Altaville, 288, notes that: Altaville has been the foundry town of Calaveras County since D. D. Demerest established a foundry there in 1854. Most of the stamp mills and a large part of the mining machinery erected in Calaveras and Tuolumne Counties were built at the Altaville Foundry. A brick schoolhouse was built at Altaville in 1858 and the townsite was established in 1873.



References:



Overall Landmark References:
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , ,
Location: Altaville, Angels Camp, CA 95222, USA

Adventure 051, Site 126 – Altaville Grammer School


Capture California, the Game-2012
Adventure: 051, Site 126 – Altaville Grammer School
California Landmark Number: 499
National Registry ID: 79000471

Team: Thing One, Thing Two
Date:  September 27, 2012
Location:
Latitude: 38° 5.041′ N
Longitude: 120° 33.682′ W
Address: 125 N. Main Street (State Highway 49), Altaville CA 95221

Description:
Date Built: 1858

What a quaint and delightful school house. It is well maintained and refreshing to stop in this park setting for a few minutes. As a note: this was not the original site of the school. In the 1980's the building was on the verge of collapse when a group of citizens put out an effort to save it. It had been in use till 1950.



NO. 499 RED BRICK GRAMMAR SCHOOL - This brick building, erected in 1848 with funds raised by a dance in the Billiard Saloon of the N.R. Prince Building (which still stands, 1955) is one of the oldest schools of California. It was in use until 1950, when it was replaced by the Mark Twain Elementary School in Altaville.
Location:  Division of Forestry Station, 125 N Main St, Altaville



References:



Overall Landmark References:
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , ,
Location: 125 N Main St, Angels Camp, CA 95222, USA

Adventure 051, Site 125 – Fourth Crossing

Capture California, the Game-2012
Adventure: 051, Site 125 – Fourth Crossing
California Landmark Number: 258


Team: Thing One, Thing Two
Date:  September 27, 2012
Location:
Latitude: 38° 7.837′ N
Longitude: 120° 38.071′ W
Address: On State Hwy 49 (P.M. 14.0) at San Antonio Creek, 5 mi S of San Andreas

Description:
Going along Highway 49 you just see these landmarks all over the place. It is sort of like hunting duck in a barrel. So up we come, in the middle of nowhere on this landmark sign saying Fourth Crossing. We are wondering what about the first three where are they? But a plaque is a plaque and the camera comes out—directly into the setting sun.

Later on, looking at sites like California Gold Country and the Sierra Nevada Geotourism, there is a bit more to it than just a crossing. Such as the first judge of Calaveras County came from here. Also the original bridge where the land was originally bought from David Foreman is still standing. This area was rich in gold in its own right.

NO. 258 FOURTH CROSSING - Located on the Stockton-Murphys Road at a crossing of the Calaveras River, this early mining settlement, once called Foremans, was famous in the 1850s for its rich placer ores. Later, as an important stage and freighting depot, it served the southern mines until after the turn of the century.
Location:  On State Hwy 49 (P.M. 14.0) at San Antonio Creek, 5 mi S of San Andreas



From HMDB:
This settlement was located on the old Stockton Road between Stockton and Murphys Diggin's. It was the fourth crossing of the Calaveras River. Today the site sits on the San Antonio Creek, which in the 1850s was called "South Calaveras". The settlement was first called Foreman's Upper Ranch. It was acquired by William B. Reddick in 1858 and was then known as Reddick's or 15-Mile House.

Postal authorities established a Fourth Crossing Post Office in 1855. This was discontinued in 1888 and then re-established in 1892. It was then discontinued again in 1925.



References:



Overall Landmark References:
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , ,
Location: San Andreas, CA, USA

Adventure: 051, Site 121 – Butte Store

Capture California, the Game-2012
Adventure: 051, Site 121 – Butte Store
California Landmark Number: 39

Team: Thing One, Thing Two
Date:  September 27, 2012
Location:
Latitude: 38° 19.532′ N
Longitude: 120° 44.113′ W
Address: On State Hwy 49 (P.M. 1.4), 2.6 mi S of Jackson


Description:
We were whissing along, looking for this landmark—we knew about it because of our June excursion down 49. And there it was. We came to a stop and took our picture of the last remaining building of Butte City. Unfortunately, it is fenced in due to vandals removing the lower doors.




NO. 39 BUTTE STORE - This is the only structure remaining of Butte City, prosperous mining town of the 1850s. As early as 1854 Xavier Benoist was conducting a store and bakery in this building. Later Ginocchio had a merchandise business here.
Location:  On State Hwy 49 (P.M. 1.4), 2.6 mi S of Jackson



From HMDB:
Originally built and operated by Enrico Bruni in 1857. The general store operated by the Ginnochio family for over 50 years, finally closing its doors in the early 1900's. According to the Historic American Buildings Survey, the structure is constucted of brick and Calaveras schist fieldstone, with 3 iron doors of 20 panels each.



From Noehill:
This is the only structure remaining of Butte City, prosperous mining town of the 1850s. As early as 1854 Xavier Benoist was conducting a store and bakery in this building. Later Ginocchio had a merchandise business here.



References:



Overall Landmark References:
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: ,
Location: Jackson, CA, USA
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)