Columbia State Historical Park is located in Tuolmne County, a few miles north of Sonora. Its elevation is 2,139 and a population of approx. 2,000.
On March 27,1850, Dr.Thaddeus Hildreth, with his brother George and a handful of prospectors, made camp near here. In their search for gold, they panned the nearby gulch near Kennebec Hill, and gold they found! Within weeks, several thousand miners had made way and set up camp, that was known as Hildreth's Diggins. That name was changed to 'American Camp', which again was changed to Columbia.
Hildreth's Diggins is actually an annual event now named Columbia Diggins. Where you are taken back in time, to observe how they prepared their meals, made their own clothing, and cared for livestock.
Columbia has really never been deserted. It has thrived with people continuosly through out time. The walkways are wooden, and the streets are dirt ridden. It really is like taking a step back in time.
The Matelot Gulch Mine Supply Store offers kitchenwares, minerals, silver and relics, as well as mining supplies. If you would like to learn to pan for gold, this is the place to start!
The Wells Fargo Co. Express building was once The American Hotel, which housed an office to Henry Wells and William Fargo. In 1857 the Hotel burns in a fire, and was rebuilt by Wells, Fargo & Co with wood, which was replaced with brick in 1858. In 1945, the deed was gifted to the state by Wells & Fargo.
The building is kept in historic fashion and is on display daily. It is the 'trademark' of the town and has been used in many western movies. Stage coach rides run daily, from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
In 1851 it was known as the Columbia Market. Over the next few years, it under-went several different owners, and burned in 1854 and in 1857. It was rebuilt with brick in 1857 and rented out to John B. Douglass, who ran a very popular saloon with an aviary, paintings, fish, geological display and is also a stage depot.Over the next 110 yrs. it was owned by many people who ran different businesses from it. In 1968 it closed for restoration, and was re-opened as the Jack Douglass Saloon. It is one of the oldest saloons in the west and is currently operated by Pat Narry and Mike Keene.
As you walk back in time here, there is Nelson's Candy Kitchen, which has been turning out confections since the early 1800's. A Danish miner, C. Rex Nelson became the confectioner in 1930, and after 4 generations, are still producing fine candies from the original recipes.
In 1852 this building was an operating saloon until the fire of 1854. It was rebuilt, and resumed business as both a saloon and restaurant, until the fire in 1857. It was again restored and changed owners many times up until the late 1800's. It remained vacant until the state purchased it in 1947, and was made into a blacksmith shop. In 1998 it was rebuilt and purchased by Leannha Rhodes Parrott, she names it "Parrott's Blacksmithing" which she still owns and operates to this day.
This building is the only structure that is neither original or a reproduction of an original! It was used in a pilot for a T.V. series, called 'The Young Riders.' (I did not know this!)
After the company was finished filming, they decided it would be too expensive to take it down, so they donated it to the park. The park administration weighed the negative of a non-historical building, but found it being of positive nature by storing and diplaying artifacts.
The Columbia Museum, (also known as the Knapp Building) was owned by Sewell Knapp from 1853 until 1887, and was a general store. In late 1887, Knapp turns the business over to his son, who keeps it for a short time. It changed owners and was ran as a sandwich & ice cream shop, until 1948 when it became a museum. It becomes the Cavalier Museum in 1958 and was restored in 2002, then re-opened in 2003.
The museum houses many artifacts, and is full of information on the history of Columbia.
The first Chinese immigrants flooded San Francisco during the gold rush in 1849. They headed East, and Columbia housed as many as 2,000 at one time. They brought with them new foods, herbs, and spices, which was a delightful change to the 'bland' American food of the time.
This exhibit was originally run as a bakery from 1854 until 1958, when it became a Chinese herb exhibit. It was restored between 2002 & 2007 and is now on display.
In 1876, James Wilson began building residence on the lot until his death in 1878. Mrs. Rose Wilson finished building and resided there with her family until the 1930's. It was restored between 1940-1941, then in 1952 was used in the movie High Noon. Mrs. Geraldine Lucille McConnell known as 'Mrs. Columbia', was instrumental in the founding of Columbia State Park. She lived in downtown Columbia until her death in 2003, where she died of natural causes, she was 99.
From the early 1850's to 1861, this lot was home to many businesses (which we know by now,) that was ruined by the fires that riddled this town through the early years. In 1861 the engine company leased the building, that then occupied the lot, and used it as a firehouse. In 1910 the building was torn down, only to be rebuilt as it's present structure in 1911. In 1952 it was purchased by the state for $1.00! It is now known as Columbia No.1 Engine Company.
No.452 was built in Boston and sold to Brooklyn New York, May 24th, 1852, when it arrived they renamed it Phoenix #12. In 1856 it would be sold to King Kamahamaha of Hawaii and the name would be changed to 'Papeete'. Legend is, it was put on a ship headed for the Sandwich Islands, but when the ship reached San Francisco, the crew jumped ship to pursue gold instead! By this time the King no longer needed the engine, and it made its way (after usage) from San Francisco to Columbia.
The Fallon Hotel originated as four separate structures, each with a unique history of its own. Most structures in this town were made of wood, and fell victim to fires in the mid 1800's, hence the brick buildings. Owen Fallon was the constructor of this brick building in 1859, that started out as a boarding house, until he cut a hole in the east wall and joined buildings in 1863. He then named it 'Fallon Hotel', turning the upstairs into a ballroom until 1871, when he decided to turn the ballroom into more rooms for the hotel. It has changed names several times over the years, and was home to many theatrical performances. In 1986 the builing was restored and is now home to the theatre, theatre box office, and an ice cream parlor.
The Columbia Gazette Office is a replica of the origainal, which is now home to Columbia Booksellers & Stationers.
I have come to the crossroads on this one. There is so much to be found here, it is literally astounding. I have visited Columbia on many occassions, via school functions, a day trip for two, and again for a family trip.
Some buildings here have more history than others, while some I cannot find, or there isn't any record...
Many buildings are preserved to perfection and are kept for display only.
This town and its structures conduct business daily, it's not some abandoned ghost town that you just stroll through. You can buy necessities from the store, have lunch, or even spend the weekend here.
Hopefully it won't be spent here either! I could not find history on this little Jail, but I am sure there is......somewhere!
The Pioneer Emporium has also had its share of owners, as well as many businesses. It is now host to household sundries and unusual gifts.
