WM. BULL MEEK – WM. MORRIS STEWART CHAPTER NO. 10 10 Plaques 2 column... · 2010. 6. 12. · PRESENTED BY WILLIAM BULL MEEK CHAPTER NO. 10, E CLAMPUS VITUS, MAY 13, 1939 Notes:

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

CALIFORNIAʹS 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 ON 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 (Nyeʹs Crossing) Covered Bridge CALIFORNIA REGISTERED HISTORICAL LANDMARK 390. Location: Nevada County at crossing of Pleasant Valley Road over the South Yuba River. Wording:

BRIDGEPORT (NYEʹS 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


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: Minerʹs Foundry (Allanʹs Machine Shop) Founded 1856 Location: On Spring St., between Bridge St. and South Pine St., Nevada City, Nevada County. Wording:

MINERʹS FOUNDRY (ALLANʹS 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


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


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 C. Campton. Location: On main street of Camptonville, Yuba County, California Wording:

ROBERT C. CAMPTON

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 #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.


#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


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.


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: Chislerʹs 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


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


#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


#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


#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


#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


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


#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


#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


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


#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.


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.


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.


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


#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.


WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART


#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



#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




#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.


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.


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.


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: [email protected]

Most of the early photos were taken by XNGH Bob Wyckoff and the later ones by XSNGH Tom Barry.

Documents

WM. BULL MEEK – WM. MORRIS STEWART CHAPTER NO. 10 10 Plaques 2 column... · 2010. 6. 12. · PRESENTED BY WILLIAM BULL MEEK CHAPTER NO. 10, E CLAMPUS VITUS, MAY 13, 1939 Notes: