WM. BULL MEEK – WM. MORRIS STEWART
CHAPTER NO. 10
(Wm. Bull Meek Chapter No. 10, chartered 1936. Wm. Morris Stewart Chapter 8591, chartered 1958. Chapter consolidation, 1962) (Nevada, Yuba and Sutter Counties.)
#1 Name: First Fire Department.
Location: On the firehouse in North San Juan, Nevada County.
Wording:
FIRST FIRE DEPARTMENT
IN COMMEMORATION OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THIS FIRE STATION IN 1864 – GEORGE S. MURPHY, FIRST FIRE CHIEF.
PRESENTED BY WILLIAM BULL MEEK CHAPTER NO. 10,
E CLAMPUS VITUS, MAY 13, 1939
Notes: This plaque has been lost (wording above is from invoice of M. Greenberg’s Sons Foundry in San Francisco, dated May 10, 1939. Total cost of plaque - $23.18) and a new plaque was re-dedicated on October 4, 1975.
#2 Name: William Bull Meek.
Location: In the town square in Camptonville, Yuba County.
Wording:
WILLIAM BULL MEEK
TO CLAMPATRIARCH WILLIAM BULL MEEK, STAGE DRIVER - WELLS FARGO AGENT - MULE SKINNER - TEAMSTER - MERCHANT.
ERECTED BY WM. BULL MEEK CHAPTER NO. 10,
E CLAMPUS VITUS,
MAY 6, 1956
#2 William Bull Meek plaque in Camptonville.
#3 Name: Donner Camp Site.
Location: Alder Creek, Hwy. 89, north of Truckee, Nevada County.
Wording:
DONNER CAMP SITE
ON OCTOBER 20, 1846, THE SIX COVERED WAGONS BROUGHT WEST BY GEORGE AND JACOB DONNER AND THEIR FAMILIES HALTED HERE FOR REPAIRS. BY MARCH OF 1847, ONE HALF OF THE PARTY OF 22 ADULTS AND CHILDREN HAD DIED OF STARVATION AND COLD. THEY CAME WEST SEEKING A NEW LIFE. THEY FOUND MISERY AND DEATH.
THIS MONUMENT DEDICATED BY
WM. M. STEWART CHAPTER ECV
NEVADA COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
TAHOE NATIONAL FOREST USFS
TRUCKEE – DONNER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
IMOGENE CHAPTER 134,
SIERRAVILLE
OCTOBER 16, 1960
#3
Donner Campsite. TRASH Trek, July 1975
Notes: Wm. Morris Stewart Chapter 8591 was established in 1958, and also went into the plaque business, in this case in collaboration with other historically minded groups.
They only placed a couple of plaques in their four-year existence, but their members provided much impetus for the later plaques of Meek-Stewart Chap. 10.
#4 Name: General Edward F. Beale.
Location: Near administration building, Beale Air Force Base, Yuba County.
Wording:
GENERAL EDWARD F. BEALE
HONORING GENERAL EDWARD F. BEALE, EXPLORER OF THE WEST, FOUNDER OF CALIFORNIA, FIRST TO CARRY CALIFORNIA'S GOLD EAST. PURCHASED CAMELS FOR THE
U.S. ARMY, HERO OF THE MEXICAN WAR. BEALE AIR FORCE BASE NAMED IN HIS HONOR.
ERECTED BY WILLIAM BULL MEEK CHAPTER 10
E CLAMPUS VITUS, INC.,
ROUGH AND READY, CALIFORNIA
#4 Gen. Beale plaque Dedication. Left to Right: Col. Miles Price, Lt. Col. Joe Brown and Edgar Dutton. Photo by J.D. Woodworth.
The Gen. Beale plaque was placed in 1959, and was the last to be placed by the Meek Chapter before its merger with the Stewart Chapter in 1962.
#5 Name: Webber Lake Hotel.
Location: On the hotel at Webber Lake, Nevada County.
Wording:
WEBBER LAKE HOTEL
WEBBER LAKE HOTEL. BUILT IN 1860 BY DR. DAVID GOULD WEBBER, THE LAST OF 30 HOSTELRIES ALONG THE HISTORIC HENNESS PASS ROAD.
MARKER PLACED BY WM. M. STEWART CH. OF
E CLAMPUS VITUS.
Notes: The Webber Lake plaque is a wooden plaque with routed letters, placed on Sept. 10, 1961.
#6 Name: National Exchange Hotel, 1854.
Location: On the hotel at 211 Broad St., Nevada City, Nevada County.
Wording:
NATIONAL EXCHANGE HOTEL, 1854
ORIGINALLY THE BICKNELL BLOCK. STAGECOACH, MAIL, EXPRESS AND TELEGRAPH CENTER IN MINING DAYS. COMPANIES WHICH BECAME PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC CO. FORMED HERE. SITE OF FIRST WHIPPING POST IN STATE. FACADE UNCHANGED SINCE 1854.
PLACED BY
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART
CHAPTER NO. 10, E CLAMPUS VITUS, MAY 5, 1963.
#6 National Hotel in Nevada City
#7 Name: North San Juan - 1853
Location: On the building on Hwy. 49 in North San Juan, Yuba County, California.
Wording:
NORTH SAN JUAN
1853
DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF THE FOUNDER, CHRISTIAN KEINZ AND TO ALL THE PIONEER ARGONAUTS OF SAN JUAN RIDGE, WHO BY THEIR LABOR AND FORTITUDE CONTRIBUTED SO GREATLY TO THE WEALTH AND ECONOMY OF NEVADA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA AND THE NATION.
PLACED BY
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART CHAPTER 10
E CLAMPUS VITUS
OCTOBER 12, 1963
#8 Name: William Morris Stewart Mansion.
Location: On 2 1/2 ton granite rock in front of house at 416 Zion Street, Nevada City, Nevada County.
Wording:
WILLIAM MORRIS STEWART MANSION
BUILT 1855-56.
EXACT REPLICA OF WIFE’S ANTE-BELLUM COLONIAL BIRTHPLACE. ONLY EDIFICE OF THIS TYPE IN CALIFORNIA. STEWART, AN EARLY NEVADA COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY, JOINED 1859 COMSTOCK SILVER RUSH, LED BATTLE FOR STATEHOOD AND BECAME NEVADA’S FIRST U.S. SENATOR, SERVED 29 YEARS. KNOWN AS THE SILVER SENATOR AND FATHER OF AMERICAN MINING LAW. AUTHORED 15TH CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
DEDICATED MARCH 7, 1964
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART NO. 10,
E CLAMPUS VITUS
NEVADA CITY, NEVADA CO. CALIFORNIA-NEVADA CENTENNIAL COMMISSION ON OBSERVANCE OF NEVADA STATE CENTENNIAL
1864 -1964
#8 Wm. Morris Stewart Mansion.
#9 Name: North Bloomfield Drain Tunnel.
Location: Along the road in North Bloomfield, Nevada County.
Wording:
NORTH BLOOMFIELD DRAIN TUNNEL
ONE OF THE GREAT ENGINEERING FEATS IN NEVADA COUNTY HYDRAULIC MINING HISTORY WAS THE DRILLING OF THE 7784 FOOT DRAIN TUNNEL.
THE PROJECT WAS ENGINEERED BY HAMILTON SMITH IN THE MALAKOFF MINE AREA.
EIGHT VERTICAL SHAFTS - OF MORE THAN 200 FEET DEPTH EACH INTERSECTED IN THE LONG DRAIN TUNNEL.
THE PROGRAM WAS STARTED IN APRIL, 1872 AND TOOK 30 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
TAHOE NATIONAL FOREST
#9 Dedication of North Bloomfield Drain Tunnel. Left to right: Riley W. (Wad) Young, Bill Byars (obscured) Herb Gerrish and Pudgy Altman.
This was a large wooden plaque. The plaque did not last long and was replaced by a bronze plaque on October 3, 1981. The new plaque, however, was erroneously titled: Hiller Tunnel. A new wooden plaque, very much like the original, is now stationed at the entrance to the path leading to the tunnel.
#10 Name: Bridgeport (Nye's Crossing) Covered Bridge
CALIFORNIA REGISTERED HISTORICAL LANDMARK 390.
Location: Nevada County at crossing of Pleasant Valley Road over the South Yuba River.
Wording:
BRIDGEPORT (NYE'S CROSSING) COVERED BRIDGE
BUILT IN 1862 BY DAVID ISAAC JOHNWOOD* WITH LUMBER FROM HIS MILL IN SIERRA COUNTY, THIS BRIDGE WAS PART OF THE VIRGINIA TURNPIKE COMPANY TOLL ROAD WHICH SERVED THE NORTHERN MINES AND THE BUSY NEVADA COMSTOCK LODE. UTILIZING A COMBINATION TRUSS AND ARCH CONSTRUCTION, IT IS ONE OF THE OLDEST HOUSED SPANS IN THE WEST AND THE LONGEST SINGLE SPAN, WOOD COVERED BRIDGE IN THE UNITED STATES.
CALIFORNIA REGISTERED HISTORICAL
LANDMARK NO. 390
PLAQUE PLACED BY THE CALIFORNIA STATE PARK COMMISSION IN COOPERATION WITH THE NEVADA COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND THE WM. B. MEEK - WM. M. STEWART CHAPTER NO. 10, E CLAMPUS VITUS, MAY 23, 1964
#10 Bridgeport Covered Bridge.
Notes: Questions have risen as to the true name of builder. Mike Smittle, Park Ranger at Bridgeport says builder was David Ingerfield John Wood, and that Nyes Crossing could have been at another location. See newspaper article in Regional Section of The Union, Grass Valley - Nevada City, July 2, 1992. The newspaper article is in error about the ranger’s name! (Just how much confusion about history can be traced to errors such as these?)
#11 Name: 1864 - The Union - 1964 Grass Valley - Nevada City
Location: Inside the lobby, 11464 Sutton Way, Grass Valley, Nevada County, California.
Wording:
1864 - THE UNION - 1964
GRASS VALLEY - NEVADA CITY
OF THE MANY HISTORIC NEWSPAPERS STARTED IN THE NORTHERN MINES OF THE GREAT MOTHER LODE DURING THE FAMOUS GOLD RUSH ERA, ONLY THE UNION OF GRASS VALLEY AND NEVADA CITY EMERGED A SUCCESSFUL DAILY PUBLISHED FOR 100 YEARS. BORN IN CRITICAL TIMES - CIVIL WAR AND PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION - THE UNION HAS EVER STRIVED FOR UNITY AND HAS EVOLVED AN INDEPENDENT VOICE SUPPORTING MAN AND MEASURE OVER PARTISANSHIP. THE UNION IS ONLY THE SEVENTH DAILY NEWSPAPER IN CALIFORNIA TO CELEBRATE ITS CENTENNIAL UNDER THE ORIGINAL NAME.
CENTENNIAL DATE - OCTOBER 28, 1964
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART CHAPTER 10
E CLAMPUS VITUS
NEVADA CITY, NEVADA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
Notes: Plaque was originally placed on the building in Grass Valley housing The Union’s offices. A few years after our dedication, The Union moved to their new office on Sutton Way, and the plaque was relocated there.
#12 Name: Nevada Hose Co. No. 1
Location: North side of Main St. near corner of Union St, Nevada City, Nevada County.
Wording:
NEVADA HOSE CO. NO. 1
OCCUPIED THIS FIREHOUSE FROM MAY 30, 1861 TO 1938. HAND PULLED HOSE CARTS, HORSE DRAWN ENGINES AND MOTORIZED PUMPERS ALL ROLLED OUT OF THIS BUILDING TO SAVE LIFE AND PROPERTY.
WM. BULL MEEK
WM. MORRIS STEWART
CHAPTER NO. 10
E CLAMPUS VITUS
MAY 8, 1965
#12 Nevada Hose Co. No. 1 in the 1960s.
#13 Name: Brimskill Building
Location: Town of Washington, Nevada County, across street from Washington Hotel.
Wording:
BRIMSKILL BUILDING
BUILT BY EDWARD BRIMSKILL, 1849-1851. REAR SECTION BUILT 1849. IRON SHUTTERS, A PROTECTION FROM FIRE AND ROBBERS, IMPORTED FROM SCOTLAND. USED IN EARLY DAYS (AS A) GENERAL STORE AND MINER’S SUPPLIES. WELLS FARGO MAINTAINED DESK ROOM HERE FOR MANY YEARS AND SHIPPED THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF GOLD FROM HERE. ONE OF THE BEST-PRESERVED BUILDINGS IN CALIFORNIA OF THE GOLD RUSH ERA. SAID TO BE THE OLDEST BUILDING IN NEVADA COUNTY.
SEPT. 25, 1965.
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART
CHAPTER 10, E CLAMPUS VITUS, NEVADA CITY, CALIFORNIA.
#14 Name: Holbrooke Hotel
Location: On the hotel at 212 W. Main Street, Grass Valley, Nevada County.
Wording:
HOLBROOKE HOTEL
FOUNDED 1851
CALIFORNIA’S OLDEST HOTEL IN CONTINUOUS OPERATION. AMONG ITS CENTURY - OLD ARCHIVES ARE NAMES OF SUCH NOTABLES AS PRESIDENTS GRANT, HARRISON, CLEVELAND: BOXERS CORBETT, FITZSIMMONS, ACTOR GILBERT BARRY AND HIGHWAYMAN BLACK BART. PRESENT STRUCTURE BUILT IN 1862 FOLLOWING INFAMOUS FIRE.
GRASS VALLEY - SEPT. 25, 1965
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART CHAPTER
10 E CLAMPUS VITUS, NEVADA CITY, CALIFORNIA
#14 The Holbrooke Hotel in 1965.
#15 Name: Miner's Foundry (Allan's Machine Shop) Founded 1856
Location: On Spring St., between Bridge St. and South Pine St., Nevada City, Nevada County.
Wording:
MINER'S FOUNDRY (ALLAN'S MACHINE SHOP)
FOUNDED 1856
THIS ORIGINAL BRICK BUILDING IN CONTINUOUS USAGE AS A FOUNDRY FOR OVER 110 YEARS. FAMOUS PELTON WATERWHEEL DEVELOPED AND MANUFACTURED HERE IN 1878. INGENIOUS DOUBLE-CUPPED BUCKET DESIGNED BY LESTER A. PELTON OF CAMPTONVILLE AND NEVADA CITY. IT BECAME THE BASIS FOR HYDRO ELECTRIC TURBIN(E) GENERATORS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.
MAY 14, 1966
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART NO. 10
E CLAMPUS VITUS
NEVADA CITY, NEVADA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
#16 Name: Malakoff Diggins Clampicnic Area
Location: Next to Blacksmith shop, main street of North Bloomfield, Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park, Nevada County.
Wording:
MALAKOFF DIGGINS CLAMPICNIC AREA
THIS PICNIC AREA, SPONSORED BY WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART CHAPTER NUMBER 10, E CLAMPUS VITUS, IS FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF ALL. THE REDWOOD LUMBER FOR THE TABLES CAME FROM NEVADA CITY’S CHRISTMAS TREE, A SEQUOIADENDRON GIGANTEUM AND CONTINUES TO SERVE THE RESIDENTS AND VISITORS OF NEVADA COUNTY.
DEDICATED OCTOBER 1, 1966
#17 Name: Kohler Building
Location: On building next to Washington Hotel, Washington, Nevada County.
Wording:
KOHLER BUILDING
BUILT BY HENRY KOHLER, PIONEER MERCHANT AND MINER BORN IN GERMANY IN 1825, HE CAME TO WASHINGTON FROM INDIANA IN 1854. HE MINED UNTIL 1861 WHEN HE OPENED A GENERAL MERCHANDISE STORE TO SUPPLY GROCERIES, HARDWARE AND MINERS SUPPLIES TO THE AREA.
DEDICATED MAY 6, 1967
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART
CHAPTER NO. 10
E CLAMPUS VITUS
NEVADA CITY, CALIFORNIA
#18 Name: Giant
Location: Across from the town square on the main street of North Bloomfield, Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park, Nevada County
Wording:
GIANT
THIS MONITOR WAS USED AT THE NOW CLOSED LA GRANGE MINE NEAR WEAVERVILLE IN TRINITY COUNTY AND IS SIMILAR IN SIZE TO THOSE USED AT THE MALAKOFF TO WASH DOWN THE GRAVEL HILLSIDES.
IT WAS OBTAINED THROUGH A JOINT EFFORT OF E CLAMPUS VITUS, TRINITARIANUS CHAPTER, WEAVERVILLE AND WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART CHAPTER, NEVADA CITY.
DEDICATED OCTOBER 7, 1967
#18 The Giant Monitor at Malakoff Diggins.
Notes: This is a large carved wooden plaque.
#19 Name: N.C.N.G.R.R.
Location: Northbound Hwy 49 freeway at Sacramento St., Nevada City, Nevada County. (This area is known as Clamper Square.)
Wording:
N.C.N.G.R.R.
NEVADA COUNTY NARROW GAUGE RAILROAD WAS DEDICATED MAY 20, 1876, 100 FEET EAST OF THIS SPOT. BUILT BY JOHN FLINT KIDDER BETWEEN 1874 - 76, IT RAN 22 MILES FROM NEVADA CITY TO COLFAX VIA GRASS VALLEY. RAILS TAKEN UP IN 1942. SARA KIDDER, WIDOW OF BUILDER, WORLD’S FIRST WOMAN RAILROAD PRESIDENT, 1901 - 13.
PLAQUE DEDICATED MAY 4, 1968 BY
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART NO. 10
E CLAMPUS VITUS, NEVADA CITY, CALIF.
#20 Name: Nevada Theatre - 1865
Location: On sidewalk in front of theater at 401 Broad Street, Nevada City, Nevada County.
Wording:
NEVADA THEATRE - 1865
OPENED SEPT. 11, 1865 WITH COMIC DAN SETCHELL AND DANCERS WORRELL SISTERS. BUILT BY GEO. S. PIERCE. MARK TWAIN, EMMA NEVADA, JACK LONDON, GILBERT BARRY AND RICHARD JOSE PERFORMED HERE. MOVIES SHOWN FROM 1908-1950. ACQUIRED 1967 BY LIBERAL ARTS COMMISSION FOR RESTORATION.
PLAQUE DEDICATED OCT. 5, 1968 BY
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART, NO. 10
E CLAMPUS VITUS, NEVADA CITY, CALIF.
#20 Nevada Theater in the 1960s.
#21 Name: Chinatown, Grass Valley, 1850 - 1938
Location: On a boulder in parking lot at Bank and Stewart Streets, Grass Valley, Nevada County.
Wording:
CHINATOWN, GRASS VALLEY
1850 - 1938
OF THE MANY GOLD RUSH IMMIGRANTS, THE CHINESE WERE NOTED FOR THEIR HONEST, SOBER AND INDUSTRIOUS CHARACTERISTICS. EACH MINING CAMP HAD ITS CHINATOWN AND GRASS VALLEY WAS SECOND ONLY TO SAN FRANCISCO’S. FORMER RESIDENTS DUCK EGG, GEORGIE BOW, AH LOUIE, AND THE PIONEER YUEN, GON AND TINLOY FAMILIES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF NEVADA COUNTY’S HISTORY.
OCTOBER 4, 1969
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART CHAPTER 10
E CLAMPUS VITUS, NEVADA CITY, CALIFORNIA
#22 Name: Republic of Rough and Ready.
Location: On monument on N. side of old Hwy. 20, in downtown Rough and Ready, Nevada County, Calif.
Wording:
REPUBLIC OF ROUGH AND READY
APRIL 1850 - JULY 1850
THIS COMMUNITY OF 3000 PEOPLE SECEEDED FROM THE UNION TO DECLARE A FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATE. COLONEL E.F. BRUNDAGE WAS ELECTED PRESIDENT. CONGRESSIONAL ACTION ON CALIFORNIA STATEHOOD WAS PENDING AT THE TIME.
MAY 2, 1970
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART
CHAPTER NO. 10
E CLAMPUS VITUS
NAVADA CITY, CALIFORNIA
Note misspelling of word “Nevada” on last line.
#23 Name: Washington
Location: On the Washington Hotel in Washington, Nevada County, Calif.
Wording:
WASHINGTON
WASHINGTON, ORIGINALY INDIANA BOYS CAMP, IS A TOWN THAT REFUSED TO GHOST. IT WAS SETTLED IN 1849. BY 1880 MINERS HAD RECOVERED OVER $10,500,000 IN GOLD HERE.
OCTOBER 3, 1970
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART
CHAPTER NO. 10
E CLAMPUS VITUS
NEVADA CITY, CALIF.
#24 Name: Nevada County Traction Company.
Location: N. W. Corner Broad and Pine Streets, Nevada City, Nevada County, California
Wording:
NEVADA COUNTY
TRACTION COMPANY
1901-1924
FOUR 28 TON STANDARD GAUGE STREET CARS RAN FROM THIS SPOT FIVE MILES TO BOSTON RAVINE SOUTH OF GRASS VALLEY. CAR BARNS AND POWER PLANT LOCATED AT GLENBROOK MID-WAY. LINE WAS VICTIM OF MOTOR CARS AND BUSSES.
MAY 1, 1971
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART
NO. 10 E CLAMPUS VITUS,
NEVADA CITY, CALIFORNIA
#25 Name: Al Trivelpiece.
Location: At end of Shoot Hill group campsite road, overlooking the diggins, Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park, North Bloomfield, Nevada County, Calif.
Wording:
ALVIN STEVENS TRIVELPIECE
1903-1967
CALIFORNIAN, CLAMPER, NEVADA COUNTY HISTORIAN, NEWSPAPERMAN, FRIEND AND A FOUNDING FATHER OF THE MALAKOFF STATE PARK, IN WHOSE MEMORY THESE BENCHES WERE PLACED.
RE-DEDICATED JUNE 13, 1971 BY
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART
NO. 10 E CLAMPUS VITUS
NEVADA CITY, CALIF.
#25 View from Trivelpiece overlook at Diggins.
#26 Name: Robert Campton.
Location: On main street of Camptonville, Yuba County, California
Wording:
ROBERT CAMPTON
1820 1884
THE POPULAR AND STURDY BLACKSMITH
FOR WHOM THE TOWN OF
CAMPTONVILLE
WAS NAMED. THROUGH DEEP APPRECIATION OF THE PIONEER SPIRIT THIS MEMORIAL HAS LOVINGLY BEEN ERECTED BY HIS FAMILY.
DEDICATED MAY 6, 1972 BY
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART NO. 10,
ANCIENT AND HONORABLE ORDER OF
E CLAMPUS VITUS
The Robert Campton plaque is an engraved stone plaque, most likely the only one of its type placed by Chapter Ten.
#27 Name: North Bloomfield Mining and Gravel Company.
CALIFORNIA REGISTERED HISTORICAL LANDMARK 852
Location: Off the road several hundred feet overlooking the Diggins at the extreme west end of the main street of North Bloomfield, Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park, Nevada County, California
Wording:
NORTH BLOOMFIELD MINING AND GRAVEL COMPANY
THIS WAS A MAJOR HYDRAULIC OPERATION IN CALIFORNIA. ITS VAST SYSTEM OF CANALS AND FLUMES USING A DRAINAGE TUNNEL 7800 FEET LONG WAS TERMED A FEAT OF ENGINEERING SKILL. IT WAS THE PRINCIPAL DEFENDANT IN AN ANTI-DEBRIS LAWSUIT SETTLED BY THE SAWYER DECISION IN 1864. JUDGE LORENZO SAWYER’S FAMOUS DECISION CREATED CONTROL THAT VIRTUALLY ENDED HYDRAULIC MINING IN CALIFORNIA.
CALIFORNIA REGISTERED
HISTORICAL LANDMARK 852
PLAQUE PLACED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION IN COOPERATION WITH THE MALAKOFF CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND
E CLAMPUS VITUS NO. 10. JUNE 11, 1972
#27 Malakoff Diggins from near plaque site.
#28 Name: Malakoff Diggins Clampicnic Area.
Location: Next to Blacksmith shop, main street of North Bloomfield, Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park, Nevada County, California
Wording:
MALAKOFF DIGGINS CLAMPICNIC AREA
THIS PICNIC AREA, SPONSORED BY WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART CHAPTER NUMBER 10, E CLAMPUS VITUS, IS FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF ALL. THE REDWOOD LUMBER FOR THE TABLES CAME FROM NEVADA CITY’S CHRISTMAS TREE, A SEQUOIADENDRON GIGANTEUM AND CONTINUES TO SERVE THE RESIDENTS AND VISITORS OF NEVADA COUNTY.
DEDICATED OCTOBER 1, 1966
#28 Clampicnic Area. L. to R.: Barney Forsythe, Bob Wyckoff, Clyde Newlin, Charles Gaus, and Wes Simard in foreground.
Note: This Bronze plaque, dedicated on June 11, 1972, replaces a wooden plaque originally dedicated on October 1, 1966, upon the original completion of the picnic area.
#29 Name: Ladies of the Evening.
Location: In parking lot (overlooking the freeway) of National Hotel, 211 Broad Street, Nevada City, Nevada County, California
Wording:
THE LADIES OF THE EVENING
TO COMMEMORATE THAT UBIQUITOUS SEGMENT OF SOCIETY WHO HAVE BEEN UNACKNOWLEDGED: WHO, THOUGH OBSCURE, MADE AN ESSENTIAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE SETTLEMENT OF THE WEST.
DEDICATED OCTOBER 7, 1972 BY
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART
CHAPTER NO. 10, E CLAMPUS VITUS
NEVADA CITY, CALIFORNIA.
#30 Name: Washington Brewery.
Location: 114 Main Street, Grass Valley, Nevada County, California
Wording:
WASHINGTON BREWERY
FOUNDED 1858 BY JOHN FRANK, THE BREWERY OPERATED UNTIL PROHIBITION. THE OWNERSHIP REMAINS IN THE FRANK FAMILY TO THE PRESENT TIME.
DEDICATED OCTOBER 7, 1972
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART
NO. 10 E CLAMPUS VITUS
NEVADA CITY, CALIF.
#31 Name: Hard Rock Mining.
Location: Memorial Park, in Grass Valley, Nevada County, close to the creek on the left bank, in north east area of the park (between changing room for pool and group picnic area.)
Wording:
HARD ROCK GOLD MINING
1850-1957
WITHIN A ONE-MILE RADIUS OF THIS SPOT MORE THAN 500 MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF GOLD WAS PRODUCED BY DEEP MINES, INCLUDING THE EMPIRE, NORTH STAR AND THE IDAHO-MARYLAND. DURING THAT TIME THIS WAS THE WORLD’S MOST CONCENTRATED, EFFICIENT AND INNOVATIVE GOLD MINING REGION.
DEDICATED MAY 12, 1973
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART
NO. 10, E CLAMPUS VITUS
#32 Name: North Bloomfield School.
Location: On the schoolhouse, western end of North Bloomfield, Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park, Nevada County, California
Wording:
NORTH BLOOMFIELD SCHOOL
1872 - 73
BUILT AT A COST OF SOME 3,000 DOLLARS. MODELED AFTER SCHOOLHOUSES AT NEARBY SEBASTOPOL AND SWEETLAND, IT SERVED THE COMMUNITY UNTIL CLOSED IN 1941. ACQUIRED FROM WASHINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT, NEVADA COUNTY, FOR PUBLIC USE AND DISPLAY. RESTORATION COMMENCED IN 1973 BY POPULAR SUBSCRIPTION.
DEDICATED - JUNE 10, 1973
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART
NO. 10, E CLAMPUS VITUS
#32 North Bloomfield School.
#33 Name: Pelton Wheel.
Location: Camptonville Town Square, Camptonville, Yuba County.
Wording:
ON THIS SPOT IN 1878
LESTER ALLEN PELTON
INVENTED THE PELTON WATER WHEEL
ERECTED 1929 BY
GRAVEL RANGE LODGE NO. 59
FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS.
Note: On the side of the pylon are two other plaques. One says:
“National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.
Pelton Impulse Water Wheel.”
“American Society of Civil Engineers.
Founded 1852.”
Just below that plaque is one stating:
“Dedicated May 4, 1974 by
William Bull Meek - William Morris Stewart
Chapter Number 10, E Clampus Vitus.”
#2, 26, 33, 47 Monument Square in Camptonville.
The only part of this monument to Lester Pelton concerning Chapter Ten is the rededicating plaque placed by Chapter Ten for the erection of the pylon-shaped monument with little Pelton Wheels imbedded in the front and top. Gravel Range Lodge #59 of the Masons was led for many years by William Bull Meek, and then later by his grandson, Judge Acton Cleveland, also of Camptonville, and an active Chapter Ten Clamper for many years.
#34 Name: North San Juan Fire Dept.
Location: On the fire station, North San Juan, Nevada County, California
Wording:
N. S. J. F. D.
TO THE MEMORY OF THE FIRST FIRE DEPARTMENT - ORGANIZED IN 1862, GEORGE MURPHY, FIRST FIRE CHIEF. PRESENTED BY WM. BULL MEEK CHAPTER, ECV MAY 13, 1939 NORTH SAN JUAN
REDEDICATED OCTOBER 4, 1975
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART
NO. 10 E CLAMPUS VITUS
NEVADA CITY
Note: Re-dedication of plaque originally placed May 13, 1939, by the old William Bull Meek Chapter. Original plaque has been lost for many years.
#35 Name: Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad.
Location: Under caboose displayed on main street of Colfax, Placer County, Calif. (Joint plaque with Lord Sholto Douglas, Chapter Three.)
Wording:
NEVADA CO. NARROW GAUGE RAILROAD
1876 - 1942
PLACER COUNTY TERMINUS
DEPOT WAS 100 YARDS N.E. OF THIS SPOT. BUILT BY JOHN FLINT KIDDER BETWEEN 1874-76, IT RAN 22 MILES FROM COLFAX TO NEVADA CITY VIA GRASS VALLEY. RAILS TAKEN UP IN 1942. SARAH KIDDER, WIDOW OF BUILDER, WORLD’S FIRST WOMAN RAILROAD PRESIDENT 1901-13
PLAQUE DEDICATED MAY 1, 1976 BY
LORD SHOLTO DOUGLAS, NO. 3 AND
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART
NO. 10
E. CLAMPUS VITUS
#36 Name: American Hill Diggings.
Location: At West Broad Street and Highway 49, Nevada City, Nevada County, California
Wording:
AMERICAN HILL DIGGINGS
ON THIS SITE IN APRIL 1853 EDWARD E. MATTESON DEVELOPED ONE OF THE FIRST HYDRAULIC MINES, AN OPERATION IN WHICH GOLD WAS WASHED FROM GREAT QUANTIES (sic) OF EARTH WITH HIGH PRESSURE STREAMS OF WATER. THE METHOD USED HERE BECAME A STANDARD OF THE MINING INDUSTRY THROUGH OUT THE WORLD.
PLAQUE DEDICATED OCTOBER 2, 1976 BY
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART NO. 10
E. CLAMPUS VITUS
Note: Note misspelled word “quantities”. Following is another version of the wording for this plaque. That version may have never been cast, but the wording appears in the original ECV Plaques book. Contacts with XNGH Bob Wyckoff indicate that this was a proposed version, intended to please some official or influential person in the county. When the time came to cast the plaque, the wording was changed to the form seen above.
AMERICAN HILL, HYDRAULIC MINING
THUNDER OF WATERS
THE ERA OF HYDRAULIC MINING STARTED IN NEVADA COUNTY WHERE ANTON CHABOT AND EDWARD MATTESON FIRST USED WATER UNDER PRESSURE TO WASH DOWN THE GOLD BEARING GRAVEL BANKS. THE ERA ENDED WHEN JUDGE LORENZO SAWYER HANDED DOWN THE FEDERAL COURT DECISION THAT STILLED THE MONITORS.
PLAQUE DEDICATED OCTOBER 2, 1976 BY
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART NO. 10
E. CLAMPUS VITUS
American Hill Diggins plaque in Nevada City, placed on Oct. 2, 1976.
#36 American Hill Diggins Site
#37 Name: N. C. N. G. R. R.
Location: Corner of Bennett and Kidder Streets, Grass Valley, Nevada County, California.
Wording:
N. C. N. G. R. R.
NEVADA COUNTY NARROW GAUGE RAILROAD RAN FROM HERE 6 MILES TO NEVADA CITY AND 17 MILES S. TO COLFAX. BUILT 1874-78 BY JOHN F. KIDDER WHOSE HOME IS N.E. CORNER. DEPOT AND SHOPS WERE 60 YARDS N., RAILS REMOVED 1942. SARAH, WIDOW OF BUILDER WAS FIRST WOMAN R. R. PRESIDENT.
DEDICATED MAY 7, 1977 BY
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART
NO. 10
E. CLAMPUS VITUS, NEVADA CITY, CALIF.
#38 Name: Lola Montez 1819 - 1861
CALIFORNIA REGISTERED HISTORICAL LANDMARK 292.
Location: On house at corner of Mill and Walsh Streets, Grass Valley, Nevada County, California.
Wording:
LOLA MONTEZ 1819 - 1861
COUNTESS OF LANDSFELD
IN HER HOME WHICH OCCUPIED THIS SITE, LOLA’S SOCIAL SALONS 1853 -55 ATTRACTED MEN OF VISION WHOSE INVESTMENTS AND TECHNOLOGY FOUNDED NEVADA COUNTY’S GOLD QUARTZ MINING INDUSTRY. SHE BROUGHT CULTURE AND REFINEMENT TO THIS RUDE MINING CAMP. A MISTRESS OF INTERNATIONAL INTRIGUE AND A FEMINIST BEFORE HER TIME, SHE IS ONE OF HISTORY’S MOST RECOGNIZABLE WOMEN AND A FOUNDER OF TODAY’S COSMETIC INDUSTRY.
CALIF. STATE REG. LANDMARK NO. 292
PLAQUE DEDICATED OCT. 1, 1977 BY
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART
NO. 10
E. CLAMPUS VITUS, NEVADA CITY, CALIF.
#38 Lola Montez Home.
#39 Name: Chisler's Inn
Location: On building on 3rd Street, west of High Street, Marysville, Yuba County, California.
(Note: The building has been torn down, and the plaque has been removed for safekeeping and is currently on loan to the Marysville Historical Society and is in their museum.)
Wording:
CHISLER’S INN
FORMERLY SPRING HOUSE 1857-1884.
GEM SALOON 1894-1907 AND SUTTER CAFE 1907-1932.
SERVING MINERS, DRUMMERS AND CLAMPERS CONTINUOUSLY SINCE 1857.
DEDICATED MARCH 11, 1978
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART
NO. 10
E CLAMPUS VITUS, NEVADA CITY, CALIF.
#40 Name: Wells Fargo & Company - 1854
Location: On building in town of North San Juan, Nevada County, California.
Wording:
WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
1854
OFFICE AND HOLDING CENTER FOR GOLD AND CURRENCY, 1854-60. BLOCK AND FURTH CO. CLOTHING STORE, 1861-69. CHINESE LAUNDRY AND STORE OPERATED BY HAPPY GO LUCKY, 1890-1920. BAR AND LIQUOR STORE SINCE 1934. FIRST SALOON OWNER, “MA” CUNNINGHAM, 1934.
DEDICATED OCTOBER 7, 1978
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART
NO. 10
E CLAMPUS VITUS, - NEVADA CITY, CALIF.
#41 Name: Pennsylvania Engine Co. No. 2
Location: On firehouse across from City Hall on Broad Street, Nevada City, Nevada County, California.
Wording:
PENNSYLVANIA ENGINE CO. NO. 2
FIRE COMPANY FORMED JUNE 13, 1860 AS EUREKA HOSE NO. 2 WITH 34 VOLUNTEERS. NAME CHANGED IN AUGUST OF THAT YEAR TO “PENNSYLVANIA ENGINE.” CONSTRUCTION MONEY RAISED IN 1859 BY POPULAR SUBSCRIPTION AND A GRAND BALL STAGED BY THE TOWN’S WOMEN. THIS FIREHOUSE HAS BEEN IN CONTINUOUS USE SINCE 1861.
DEDICATED MAY 5, 1979 BY
THE NEVADA CITY VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT AND
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART
NO. 10
E CLAMPUS VITUS, NEVADA CITY, CALIF.
#41 Dedication of Engine Co. #2 in 1979.
#42 Name: Chute Hill
Location: In campground at the Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park, Nevada County, California.
Wording:
CHUTE HILL
LOCAL HISTORIANS RELATE THAT WATER FROM HIGH MOUNTAIN LAKES FLOWED THROUGH A 500’ WOODEN “CHUTE” WHICH LED TO A HUGE SQUARE TANK OR PRESSURE BOX BEHIND CAMPSITE 29. HERE IT ENTERED A 3’ PIPE REDUCED TO GAIN PRESSURE TO 2’, THEN DOWN HILL 200’ TO THE HYDRAULIC MONITORS AT THE MINE.
PLAQUE DEDICATED OCTOBER 6, 1979 BY
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART
NO. 10
E CLAMPUS VITUS, NEVADA CITY, CALIF.
#43 Name: Kidd & Knox Building
Location: N.E. corner of Broad and Pine Streets, Nevada City, Nevada County, California.
Wording:
KIDD & KNOX BUILDING
1856
MAJOR COMMERCIAL BUILDING SINCE GOLD RUSH. EARLY OFFICES OF JUDGES, LAWYERS, STATESMEN INCLUDING U.S. SENATORS A.A. SARGENT, WM. MORRIS STEWART; CALIF. SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICES NILES SEARLS, LORENZO SAWYER WERE HERE. SITE OF “DRAMATIC HALL” WHERE EDWIN BOOTH, LOLA MONTEZ, KATE HAYES PERFORMED.
PLAQUE DEDICATED MAY 3, 1980 BY
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART NO. 10
E CLAMPUS VITUS, NEVADA CITY, CALIF.
#43 Kidd & Knox Building - 2006
#44 Name: Thompson Seedless Grape
CALIFORNIA REGISTERED HISTORICAL LANDMARK 929.
Location: N. Side of Highway 20, near the town of Sutter, Sutter County, California.
Wording:
SITE OF PROPAGATION OF
THE THOMPSON SEEDLESS GRAPE
WILLIAM THOMPSON, AN ENGLISHMAN, AND HIS FAMILY SETTLED HERE IN 1863. IN 1872 HE SENT TO NEW YORK FOR THREE CUTTINGS CALLED LADY DE COVERLY OF WHICH ONLY ONE SURVIVED. THE GRAPE, FIRST PUBLICLY DISPLAYED IN MARYSVILLE IN 1875, BECAME KNOWN AS THOMPSON’S SEEDLESS GRAPE. TODAY THOUSANDS OF ACRES HAVE BEEN PLANTED IN CALIFORNIA FOR THE PRODUCTION OF RAISINS, BULK WINE AND TABLE GRAPES.
CALIFORNIA REGISTERED HISTORICAL LANDMARK NO. 929
PLAQUE PLACED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION IN COOPERATION WITH THE FAMILY OF WILLIAM THOMPSON AND WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART CHAPTER NO. 10 E CLAMPUS VITUS,
SEPTEMBER 12, 1980
#45 Name: North San Juan United Methodist Church
Location: On church a block N. of Highway 49 in North San Juan, Nevada County, California.
Wording:
NORTH SAN JUAN
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
1856
ONE OF THE OLDEST OF ITS FAITH IN CONTINUOUS OPERATION IN CALIFORNIA. ESCAPED THREE MAJOR FIRES WHICH DESTROYED THE TOWN. THE REV. H.B. SHELDON, FIRST ASSIGNED PASTOR, RODE CIRCUIT FROM BRANDY CITY TO FRENCH CORRAL ON HORSEBACK.
DEDICATED OCTOBER 4, 1980 BY THE
OFFICIAL BOARD OF THE CHURCH AND
NO. 10
E CLAMPUS VITUS, NEVADA CITY, CALIF.
#45 N. San Juan United Methodist Church.
#46 Name: Bloomfield Tunnel
Location: Originally on mouth of tunnel, on main road leading into park, west of North Bloomfield, Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park, Nevada County, California.
Wording:
BLOOMFIELD TUNNEL
ONE OF THE GREAT ENGINEERING FEATS IN NEVADA COUNTY HYDRAULIC MINING WAS THE DRILLING OF THIS 7784 FOOT TUNNEL. THE PROJECT WAS ENGINEERED BY HAMILTON SMITH IN THE MALAKOFF MINE AREA. EIGHT VERTICAL SHAFTS OF MORE THAN 200 FOOT FEET DEPTH EACH INTERSECTED THE LONG DRAIN TUNNEL. THE PROGRAM WAS STARTED APRIL 1872 AND TOOK 30 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
DEDICATED OCTOBER 3, 1981 BY
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART
CHAPTER 10 E CLAMPUS VITUS, NEVADA CITY, CALIF.
Note: This plaque is not mounted at the present time. It is the replacement for one stolen from the location shortly after dedication. Both of the plaques are misnamed as “Hiller Tunnel”.
#47 Name: E C.V. Redivivus
Location: Camptonville town square, Camptonville, Yuba County, Calif.
Wording:
E C. V. REDIVIVUS
FIRST GRAND COUNCIL PILGRIMAGE, FIFTY YEARS AGO TODAY. THE ACCOUCHEURS OF E CLAMPUS VITUS, REDIVIVUS, MET HERE WITH WILLIAM BULL MEEK, XNGH AND ADAM LEE MOORE, XNGH TO LEARN THE PAST GLORY OF E C. V. ALL HONOR TO LEON WHITSELL, CARL WHEAT AND G. EZRA DANE.
PLAQUE DEDICATED MAY 2, 1982 BY
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART NO. 10
E C. V. NEVADA CITY, CALIF.
#47 E C.V. Redivivus in Camptonville.
#48 Name: Five Stamp Mill, 1893
Location: Next to Ott’s Assay Office, end of Commercial Street, Nevada City, Nevada County, Calif.
Wording:
FIVE STAMP MILL - 1893
USED TO CRUSH GOLD ORE AT THE FORTUNA MINE NEAR NEVADA CITY. ORE WAS FED UNDER IRON “STAMPS” FROM REAR HOPPER. STEAM, WATER, OR ELECTRIC BELT-DRIVEN POWER TURNED WHEEL WHICH REVOLVED CAMS. DONATED TO NEVADA CITY BY BILL MAGERS.
DEDICATED JULY 4, 1982 BY NEVADA CITY COUNCIL &
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART CHAPTER NO. 10
E CLAMPUS VITUS
#49 Name: Lord Sholto Douglas
Location: On Silver Dollar Saloon, 1st and D Streets, Marysville, Yuba County, California.
Wording:
LORD SHOLTO DOUGLAS
WITHIN THESE WALLS, ON JAN. 22, 1886, LORD SHOLTO DOUGLAS, THEATRICAL ENTREPRENEUR AND SON OF THE MARQUIS OF QUEENSBURY OF PUGILISTIC FAME, WAS INITIATED INTO THE MYSTERIES OF ECV. THOUGH DOUGLAS WENT ON TO RICHES, SUBSEQUENT PUBLICITY OF HIS INITIATION INTO ECV VIRTUALLY SHUT DOWN THE
MARYSVILLE LODGE.
DEDICATED MARCH 19, 1983 BY
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART NO. 10
E CLAMPUS VITUS, NEVADA CITY, CALIF.
#50 Name: New Mecklenburg
Location: On the Silver Dollar Saloon, 1st and D Sts., Marysville, Yuba County, California.
Wording:
NEW MECKLENBURG
THE LAND ON WHICH MARYSVILLE WAS FOUNDED ORIGINALLY WAS LEASED IN 1842 TO THEODORE CORDUA, A PRUSSIAN EMIGRANT, BY JOHN A. SUTTER. NAMED FOR HIS HOMELAND, CORDUA ESTABLISHED A TRADING POST AND STOCK RANCH ON THE CALIF.-OREGON TRAIL TO SERVE EMIGRANTS, MINERS AND HUNTERS. IN 1849, HE SOLD HIS HOLDINGS TO SEVERAL PEOPLE, INCLUDING MICHAEL NYE, AT WHICH TIME THE SITE BECAME KNOWN AS NYE’S RANCH.
DEDICATED MAY 4, 1985 BY
WILLIAM BULL MEEK - WILLIAM MORRIS STEWART
CHAPTER NO. 10 E CLAMPUS VITUS,
NEVADA CITY, CALIF.
#49 & 50 Silver Dollar Saloon.
#51 Name: Powell Home.
Location: S.E. corner of Spring and Pine Streets, Nevada City.
Wording:
POWELL HOME
BUILT IN 1855 AS THE EDIFICE OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH, IT WAS HERE THAT FAMED SOPRANO EMMA NEVADA (EMMA WIXOM PALMER) MADE HER DEBUT AT THE AGE OF THREE. IN 1886 THE CHURCH WAS REMODELED AS THE RESIDENCE OF THE E.T.R. POWELL FAMILY.
DEDICATED OCTOBER 5, 1985 BY
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART NO. 10
E CLAMPUS VITUS, NEVADA CITY, CALIF.
#52 Name: Sam Brannan Park.
Location: In the park on Gray Ave., South of Highway. 20, Yuba City, Sutter County.
Wording:
SAM BRANNAN PARK
DEDICATED TO SAM BRANNAN, FOUNDER OF YUBA CITY, A CALIFORNIA PIONEER AND ORIGINAL 49ER. BORN SAGO, MAINE, MARCH 2, 1819, DIED ESCONDIDO, CALIFORNIA MAY 14, 1889. LED 238 MORMONS BY SHIP BROOKLYN AROUND CAPE HORN TO YERBA BUENA COVE (NOW SAN FRANCISCO) ARRIVING JULY 31, 1846. PURCHASED 2500 ACRES OF WEST BANK OF FEATHER RIVER FROM CAPT. JOHN SUTTER JULY 27, 1849. BRANNAN WAS CALIFORNIA’S FIRST MILLIONAIRE, ONE OF CHIEF FINANCIERS OF CENTRAL PACIFIC RAILROAD AND FOUNDER OF CALIFORNIA’S FIRST SUCCESSFUL COMMERCIAL BANK.
PLAQUE PRESENTED BY SAM BRANNAN CHAPTER, E CLAMPUS VITUS,
RILEY W. YOUNG, NOBLE GRAND HUMBUG,
DEDICATED BY CLAMPATRIOT RICHARD M. RHODES, MAYOR OF YUBA CITY.
13 APRIL, 1965.
RE-DEDICATED MAY 3, 1986 BY
WILLIAM BULL MEEK - WILLIAM MORRIS STEWART
CHAPTER NO. 10, NEVADA CITY
IN CONJUNCTION WITH
SAM BRANNAN CHAPTER NO. 1004, NAPA
E CLAMPUS VITUS
(Note) The original is not a Chapter Ten Plaque, but Chapter Ten was “protector” of Sutter County while Sam Brannan Chapter was undergoing revival in the early 1970’s. Sam Brannan Park underwent major reconstruction in the mid 80s, which resulted in the monument bearing the original plaque to be removed and replaced. A joint rededication was held with Sam Brannan Chapter, as the park is in Meek-Stewart’s territory, but was originally in the “Old” Sam Brannan Chapter’s territory.
#53 Name: Pelton Water Wheel.
Location: On the South Yuba Canal Office at end of Commercial Street, 134 Main Street, Nevada City, Nevada County.
Wording:
PELTON WATER WHEEL
IN CONTINUOUS USE PG&E DRUM POWER HOUSE NO. 4, 1928-1987. PRODUCED 18,000 HORSEPOWER AT 257 RPM AND ENOUGH ELECTRICAL POWER FOR 16,000 HOUSEHOLDS. 12 FOOT DIAMETER, WEIGHT 15 TONS. BUILT IN SAN FRANCISCO BY PELTON COMPANY. A BICENTENNIAL GIFT TO NEVADA CITY BY PACIFIC GAS & ELECTRIC.
DEDICATED SEPTEMBER 17, 1987 BY THE
NEVADA CITY
CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSION AND
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART
NO. 10 E CLAMPUS VITUS
#53 Pelton Water Wheel
#54 Name: Shaft Drill Core
Location: Calanan Park, corner of Union and Broad Streets, Nevada City, Nevada County.
Wording:
SHAFT DRILL CORE
1935-1936
EXPERIMENTAL VERTICAL SHAFT, 5’ IN DIAMETER TO 1125’ DEPTH THROUGH SERPENTINE AND GABBRO AT IDAHO-MARYLAND GOLD MINE, GRASS VALLEY. MACHINERY INVENTED BY J.B. NEWSOM. GREATEST DRILLED FOOTAGE 21’ IN THREE DAYS. CORE WEIGHT 11 TONS. DONATED TO NEVADA CITY BY KENNETH E. BAKER.
DEDICATED JULY 4, 1988 BY
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART
NO. 10 E CLAMPUS VITUS, NEVADA CITY
#54 Drill Shaft Core
#55 Name: The Flagg Building
Location: On the building, 233 Broad Street, Nevada City, Nevada County.
Wording:
THE ETERNAL SALOON
BUILT IN 1856 ON THE SITE OF THE US HOTEL, THIS BRICK EDIFICE HAS SERVED NEVADA CITY AS THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, SCHREIBER’S, AND SINCE 1957, AS EDDIE FURANO’S BANK CLUB. HERE AT SCHREIBER’S, FELIX, THE MARVELOUS, MYSTERIOUS MUSIC BOX THUNDERED STRAUSS WALTZES AND “CARMEN” TO GENERATIONS WITH CUSTOM AND GOOD CHEER.
DEDICATED OCTOBER 7, 1989 BY
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART
CHAPTER NO. 10 E CLAMPUS VITUS
#55 Flagg Building (U.S. Hotel)
#56 Name: Ormonde
Location: In Golden Quartz Picnic Area, 3.5 miles east of Washington, Nevada County, California.
Wording:
ORMONDE
THE TOWN OF ORMONDE WAS ESTABLISHED HERE IN 1887. DOWNSTREAM, ACROSS THE MOUTH OF CANYON CREEK WAS CANYONVILLE 1850, AND UPRIVER APPROXIMATELY 4 MILES WAS MAYBERT 1886. THESE TOWNS WERE PART OF THE UPPER WASHINGTON MINING DISTRICT AND WERE THE FURTHEST UPSTREAM OF THE SERIOUS MINING VENTURES ALONG THE SOUTH YUBA. DURING ITS BRIEF HISTORY THE DISTRICT YIELDED 17 MILLION DOLLARS IN GOLD, BUT BY 1897 IT WAS NEARLY TOTALLY ABANDONED. THE REMAINS HAVE SINCE BEEN OBLITERATED BY FLOODING.
DEDICATED MAY 5, 1990
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART
CHAPTER 10 E CLAMPUS VITUS, NEVADA CITY, CA.
#56 Ormonde site near town of Washington.
#57 Name: Binkelmann Brewery
Location: On building at 217 North Auburn Street, Grass Valley, Nevada County, California.
Wording:
BINKELMANN BREWERY
BORN IN WURTEMBURG, GERMANY, ON JANUARY 2, 1828, DAVID BINKELMANN CAME TO GRASS VALLEY IN 1853 AFTER ONLY A YEAR AS A NEW IMMIGRANT IN NEW YORK. HE MINED FOR A TIME ON WOLF CREEK, THEN WORKED IN A BAKERY. HE BECAME A RENTER OF THE BUSINESS, BUT AFTER TWO YEARS SOLD THE BAKERY OPERATION TO HERRMAN MAURER AND BOUGHT A HALF INTEREST IN A BREWERY WITH JOHN FRANK, OPERATING IN THE REAR OF THE WESTERN HOTEL, WHICH BURNED IN 1856. THE BRICK BREWERY WAS CONSTRUCTED IN 1861, REPLACING A SMALLER 1856 FRAME BUILDING ON NORTH AUBURN STREET. FRANK RICHARD BOUGHT OUT THE PARTNER IN 1861 AND WAS IN TURN BOUGHT OUT BY BINKELMANN SHORTLY LATER. HE RAN THE BREWERY UNTIL HIS DEATH ON MAY 23, 1894, LEAVING HIS WIFE, SOPHIE TO CARRY ON UNTIL HER DEATH IN 1915, WHEN THE BREWERY WAS BEQUEATHED TO HER SON, DAVID J. BINKELMANN.
DEDICATED OCTOBER 6, 1990 BY
WILLIAM BULL MEEK - WILLIAM MORRIS
STEWART CHAPTER NO. 10
E CLAMPUS VITUS, NEVADA CITY
#58 Name: Empire House
Location: On building at 535 Mill Street, Grass Valley, near Hwy. 20, Nevada County, California
Wording:
EMPIRE HOUSE
THIS SITE AT THE LOWER END OF BOSTON RAVINE ON THE OLD MAIN ROAD FROM GRASS VALLEY TO AUBURN HAS BEEN THE LOCATION OF A PUBLIC HOUSE SINCE 1851. CHARLES BEHRISCH WAS THE OWNER FROM 1851 TO 1885. OWNERSHIP CHANGED HANDS MANY TIMES THROUGH THE YEARS. PURCHASED BY DOMINIC PAJNICH ON AUGUST 1, 1933 AND WAS BURNED IN 1934. REPLACED WITH A 14 ROOM HOTEL NAMED EMPIRE INN. UPSTAIRS CLOSED OFF IN 1964, BUT REMAINS A POPULAR FOOD AND BEVERAGE STOP TODAY.
DEDICATED OCTOBER 5, 1991 BY
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART
CHAPTER 10 ,E CLAMPUS VITUS
NEVADA CITY
#58 Empire House in 2006.
#59 Name: Graniteville
Location: West end of town, near public telephone, Graniteville, Nevada County, California.
Wording:
GRANITEVILLE
A CAMP ESTABLISHED IN THIS AREA IN 1850 WAS CALLED EUREKA; THEN LATER, EUREKA SOUTH. BY 1856 IT SOMETIMES HAD A WINTER POPULATION OF 1000. RICH PLACER MINING DEPOSITS WERE PLAYED OUT BY 1865, BUT QUARTZ MINING CONTINUED. BY 1867, TOTAL GOLD TAKEN FROM THIS AREA WAS ESTIMATED AT 20 MILLION DOLLARS. AREA ALSO IMPORTANT AS DISTRIBUTION POINT FOR WATER FROM RESERVOIRS, FED TO HYDRAULIC MINES BELOW BY DITCHES. NAME CHANGED TO GRANITEVILLE WHEN POST OFFICE WAS ESTABLISHED ON AUG. 26, 1867.
DEDICATED OCTOBER 3, 1992 BY
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART NO. 10
E CLAMPUS VITUS, NEVADA CITY, CALIF.
#59 Downtown Graniteville.
#60 Name: Nevada County Traction Company
Location: In Parking lot of Nevada County Historical Society Powerhouse Museum, corner of McCourtney Road and Mill Street, Grass Valley, Nevada County, California.
Wording:
NEVADA COUNTY TRACTION COMPANY
1901-1924
FOUR 28-TON STANDARD GAUGE STREET CARS RAN FROM 100 YARDS NORTH OF THIS SPOT FIVE MILES TO PINE AND BROAD STREETS, NEVADA CITY. CAR BARNS AND POWER PLANT WERE LOCATED MID-WAY AT GLENBROOK. LINE WAS SHUT DOWN AFTER A WINTER STORM, JAN. 1924, NEVER TO RUN AGAIN -- A VICTIM OF MOTOR CARS AND BUSES.
DEDICATED OCTOBER 1, 1994 BY
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART NO. 10
E CLAMPUS VITUS, NEVADA CITY, CALIF.
#61 Name: Meadow Lake
Location: On Western shore of Meadow Lake, site of Summit City, Nevada County
Wording:
SUMMIT CITY / MEADOW LAKE
IN JUNE OF 1863, THE TRAPPER HENRY HARTLEY DISCOVERED GOLD BEARING ORE HERE AND STAKED OUT THE EXCELSIOR COMPANY CLAIMS. EXAGGERATED REPORTS AND 1865 MARKET PANIC IN THE COMSTOCK MINES OF VIRGINIA CITY BROUGHT THOUSANDS OF MINERS OVERNIGHT TO THE SUPPOSED “LITTLE COMSTOCK” OF SUMMIT CITY. WITHIN TWO YEARS AN INCORPORATED TOWN, RENAMED MEADOW LAKE, GREW TO ENCOMPASS 160 ACRES WITH 4,000 SUMMER RESIDENTS AND OVER 500 BUILDINGS, INCLUDING 200 BUSINESS HOUSES, A STOCK EXCHANGE, DAILY NEWSPAPER, POST OFFICE, SCHOOL, 6 BREWERIES AND 80 SALOONS. STREETS WERE LAID OUT IN GRID FASHION, WITH A 9,000 SQUARE FOOT PLAZA ON THE LAKESHORE. AN EXCURSION VESSEL FERRIED REVELERS TO FOUR HURDY-GURDY HOUSES AT THE LAKE’S UPPER END. THE WINTER OF 1866-67 BROUGHT 30 FEET OF SNOW, WITH SNOWSHOE THOMPSON DELIVERING THE MAIL THROUGH CISCO. IN ALL, THE EIGHT STAMP MILLS IN A DISTRICT OF 10,910 CLAIMS FAILED TO EXTRACT THE EXPECTED GOLD FROM ITS “REBELLIOUS ORE”. THE OPTIMISM FADED, AND THE TOWN DECLINED WITH LIKE RAPIDITY. JULY OF 1869 FOUND 60 RESIDENTS. BY 1873, ONLY HARTLEY “THE HERMIT” REMAINED. HIS GRAVE IS ON A HILLSIDE TO THE WEST OF TOWN.
DEDICATED SEPTEMBER 17, 1995,
CLAMPYEAR 6000
BY
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART
MAJOR WM. DOWNIE
CHIEF TRUCKEE
CHAPTERS OF E CLAMPUS VITUS
#62 Name: Charles Marsh House.
Location: Corner of Nevada and High Streets in Nevada City, Nevada County, Calif.
Wording:
CHARLES MARSH HOUSE
BUILT ABOUT 1866 BY CHARLES MARSH, WHO ARRIVED HERE IN JULY, 1849, IN WHAT WOULD LATER BECOME NEVADA CITY. MARSH WAS THE FIRST COUNTY SURVEYOR AND THE FIRST COUNTY SUPERVISOR FROM NEVADA CITY. HE CREATED THE WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM WHICH FORMED THE BASIS FOR P. G. & E. AND THE NEVADA IRRIGATION DISTRICT. MARSH WAS INFLUENTIAL IN THE ROUTING OF THE CENTRAL PACIFIC RAILROAD AND SERVED ON ITS ORIGINAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS, AS WELL AS THE BOARD OF THE NEVADA COUNTY NARROW GAUGE RAILROAD. HE WAS ALSO INSTRUMENTAL IN CREATING A LIBRARY ASSOCIATION IN NEVADA CITY.
DEDICATED BY
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART
CHAPTER NO. 10 E CLAMPUS VITUS AND
THE NEVADA COUNTY HISTORICAL
LANDMARKS COMMISSION
OCTOBER 5, 1996
#62 Charles Marsh House
#63 Name: Pine Street Bridge
Location: On western end of bridge, Nevada City, Nevada County, Calif.
Wording:
PINE STREET BRIDGE
1996
THIRD SPAN OF DEER CREEK AT THIS LOCATION. IT IS A REPLICA OF THE SINGLE ARCH STEEL GAULT BRIDGE (1903-1996) WHICH REPLACED THE SUSPENSION BRIDGE (1862-1903) BUILT BY ANDREW S. HALLIDIE, WHO LATER BUILT THE SAN FRANCISCO CABLE CAR SYSTEM.
PLACED OCTOBER 26, 1996
BY CITY COUNCIL OF
NEVADA CITY AND
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART
CHAPTER NO. 10,
E CLAMPUS VITUS
NEVADA CITY, CALIFORNIA
Note: This plaque is the most recent plaque to be actually installed! We were finally able to convince the powers-that-be in Nevada City that 9 years was long enough to contemplate the proper location for this plaque.
#64 Name: Old North San Juan School.
Location: North San Juan, Nevada County, California
Wording:
OLD NORTH SAN JUAN SCHOOL
THE FIRST SCHOOL BUILDING ON THIS SITE WAS MOVED FROM FLUME ST. IN 1869. IT BURNED IN 1924, AND THIS BUILDING WAS MOVED HERE FROM LAKE VERA. THIS SITE OPERATED AS A SCHOOL FROM 1869 UNTIL 1984.
IT IS CURRENTLY USED AS A COMMUNITY CENTER AND LIBRARY.
DEDICATED MAY 2, 1998 BY
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART CHAPTER NO. 10,
E CLAMPUS VITUS
NEVADA CITY, CALIFORNIA
#65 Name: Purdon Bridge.
Location: Purdon Road at the crossing of the S. Fork of the Yuba River, Nevada City, Nevada County, Calif.
Wording:
PURDON BRIDGE
1895
BUILT BY COTTON BROTHERS OF OAKLAND, THIS STEEL BRIDGE REPLACED SEVERAL WOODEN BRIDGES WASHED AWAY IN FLOODS. IT IS THE ONLY BRIDGE OF THE HALF-THROUGH TRUSS DESIGN REMAINING IN CALIFORNIA. PURDON CROSSING WAS A VITAL LINK OF THE MAIN ROAD FROM NEVADA CITY TO DOWNIEVILLE AND THE NORTHERN MINES
DEDICATED OCTOBER 3, 1998 BY
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART
CHAPTER NO. 10,
E CLAMPUS VITUS
NEVADA CITY, CALIFORNIA
#66 Name: Hammon Grove.
Location: Hammon Grove Regional Park, south side of Hwy. 20 about one mile east of Browns Valley Turnoff, Yuba County, California
Wording:
HAMMON GROVE
DONATED TO YUBA COUNTY, AND OPENED IN JULY, 1928, THIS LOVELY GROVE IS BUT A TINY REMNANT OF THE 10,000+ ACRES CONTROLLED BY WENDELL P. HAMMON’S DREDGING COMPANIES. HE ARRIVED IN CALIFORNIA IN 1875 AND BY 1902 HAD DEVELOPED THE INCREDIBLE MACHINERY NEEDED TO DREDGE GOLD FROM THE OVER ONE BILLION CUBIC YARDS OF TAILINGS (WHICH AVERAGED 22 FEET DEEP) LEFT BY UPSTREAM HYDRAULIC MINING. HIS YUBA DREDGE NO. 20 WAS THE WORLD’S LARGEST. ALL DREDGING IN THE YUBA RIVER BASIN CEASED BY 1968, BUT THE RESULTING ROCK PILES WILL REMAIN FOR MANY GENERATIONS TO COME.
DEDICATED MAY 5, 2001 BY
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART
CHAPTER NO. 10, E CLAMPUS VITUS
NEVADA CITY, CALIFORNIA
#67 Name: Fippins Blacksmith Shop.
Location: On the Blacksmith shop, main street of Rough and Ready, Nevada County, California
Wording:
FIPPIN’S BLACKSMITH SHOP
BUILT IN THE MID 1850’S BY JOHN FIPPIN AND JOHN SINGLE. FIPPIN MARRIED SINGLE’S DAUGHTER JULIA IN 1867, AND THEY RAISED 10 CHILDREN. LOCAL LEGEND HAS IT THAT ONE OF LOTTA CRABTREE’S EARLIEST PERFORMANCES WAS ATOP THE ANVIL HERE. THE BUILDING TODAY IS A COMBINATION OF THE ORIGINAL BLACKSMITH SHOP AND SINGLE’S CARPENTER SHOP. W. H. (BILL) FIPPIN AND FRANK A. FIPPIN FOLLOWED THEIR FATHER AS SMITHS AND RAN THE BUSINESS UNTIL WELL INTO THE 20TH CENTURY. MEMBERS OF THE FIPPIN AND SINGLE FAMILIES HAVE SERVED ROUGH AND READY FOR GENERATIONS AS COUNTY OFFICIALS, SCHOOL TRUSTEES AND POSTMASTERS.
DEDICATED MAY 3, 2003 BY
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART
CHAPTER NO. 10, E CLAMPUS VITUS
NEVADA CITY, CALIFORNIA
#67 Fippin and Single families at dedication.
#68 Name: Columbiad Cannon.
Location: In parking lot of Dow Alexander Park, Grass Valley, Nevada County, California
Wording:
COLUMBIAD CANNON - 1850
LAST ON DUTY AT FORT POINT ON SAN FRANCISCO BAY. GRASS VALLEY WOMEN’S IMPROVEMENT CLUB ARRANGED WITH THE US WAR DEPARTMENT FOR DONATION TO BE PLACED IN CITY SQUARE, NOW DOW ALEXANDER PARK. TRANSFERRED FROM BENICIA ARSENAL TO HERE IN 1911. ONLY KNOWN EXAMPLE OF ITS TYPE TO EXIST. WEIGHT: 9100 POUNDS.
MARKER PLACED BY
CITY OF GRASS VALLEY AND
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART #10 E CLAMPUS VITUS, NEVADA CITY, CALIFORNIA
OCTOBER 2, 2004
#68 Columbiad in Dow Alexander Park.
(Ed. note: An interesting sidelight about the Columbiad Cannon is the attempt by a Fort Point Historical group to reacquire the cannon from Grass Valley. Led by XSNGH Dr. Al Shumate, the group offered other armament and even money to persuade the city to part with the Columbiad. Noting that it was the last one in the world, Dr. Shumate also made the comment that Grass Valley wasn’t nearly as historically connected with the cannon as was Fort Point, which was its original home. However, nothing came of his eloquent pleas, and the cannon remains here, guarding the park just as it has since 1911.)
#69 Name: Washington Elementary School.
Location: In front of the school, Washington, Nevada County, California
Wording:
WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
100 YEARS OF UN-INTERRUPTED USE AS A CALIFORNIA PUBLIC SCHOOL. HAVING SURVIVED FIRES, FLOODS, WARS, TIME, AND POLITICS, THIS SCHOOL HAS BEEN DOING ITS PART TO ENSURE THE RIGHTS OF AMERICAN CHILDREN TO RECEIVE A BASIC EDUCATION
DEDICATED THIS 4TH DAY OF JUNE, 2005
PRESENTED BY
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART #10 E CLAMPUS VITUS, NEVADA CITY, CALIFORNIA
#69 Washington Elementary School.
#70 Name: North Star House.
Location: In front of the house at North Star Mine, Grass Valley, Nevada County, California
Wording:
NORTH STAR HOUSE
THIS 1905 STRUCTURE WAS BUILT FOR ARTHUR D. FOOTE, MANAGER OF THE NORTH STAR MINE FROM 1895 TO 1913, AND HIS WIFE, MARY HALLOCK FOOTE, A NOTED 19TH CENTURY AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR. THE STRUCTURE WAS DESIGNED BY JULIA MORGAN, CALIFORNIA’S FIRST LICENSED FEMALE ARCHITECT AND DESIGNER OF THE HEARST PROPERTIES AT SAN SIMEON, ASILOMAR IN PACIFIC GROVE AND NUMEROUS BUILDINGS ON THE U. C. BERKELEY CAMPUS, AND IN TOTAL, OVER 700 BUILDINGS. THE PROPERTY IS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ERA THAT BROUGHT NEVADA COUNTY TO THE FOREFRONT OF GOLD PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA.
DEDICATED OCTOBER 7, 2006
PRESENTED BY
WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART #10 E CLAMPUS VITUS, NEVADA CITY, CALIFORNIA
#70 North Star House
This brings us up to date. Remember, if you can take good color, digital pictures of any of our plaques, and their location, Email them to:
xsngh_tom@accessbee.com
Most of the early photos were taken by XNGH Bob Wyckoff and the later ones by XSNGH Tom Barry.