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:

• Historical Marker Database (HMDB.org)
  
• Waymarking
  
• National Hotel Web Site and Restoration Work
  

Overall Landmark References:

• Historical Marker Database (HMDB)
  
• WayMarking (WAY)
  

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:

• Wikipedia
  
• Historical Marker Database (HMDB.org)
  
• Waymarking
  

Overall Landmark References:

• David Schmitt's California State Historical Landmark (Schmitt)
  
• Wikipedia: California's National Landmarks (WCNL)
  
• State of California's California Historical Landmarks (CHL)
  
• Wikipedia: California State Landmarks (WCSL)
  
• State of California Historical Resources (CHR)
  
• Historical Marker Database (HMDB)
  
• WayMarking (WAY)
  

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:

• National Registry of Historical Places-Documents and Photos
  
• Noehill
  
• Historical Marker Database (HMDB.org)
  
• Waymarking
  

Overall Landmark References:

• David Schmitt's California State Historical Landmark (Schmitt)
  
• Wikipedia: California's National Landmarks (WCNL)
  
• State of California's California Historical Landmarks (CHL)
  
• Wikipedia: California State Landmarks (WCSL)
  
• State of California Historical Resources (CHR)
  
• National Registry of Historical Places (NRHP)
  
• Noehill (NOE)
  
• Historical Marker Database (HMDB)
  
• WayMarking (WAY)
  

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:

• Historical Marker Database (HMDB.org)
  
• Waymarking
  
• Jamestown and Western Tuolumne County by Judith Marvin and Terry Brejia
  

Overall Landmark References:

• Historical Marker Database (HMDB)
  
• WayMarking (WAY)