Before Lake Edson was filled, Wentworth Springs Road passed over Pilot Creek, and ran along the south side of the creek. Here we see the concrete bridge, built in 1929, that crossed the creek. I assume it was use until Stumpy Meadows was filled to create Lake Edson. Not sure if there was a bridge here before 1929, or if the road took a different route?
A plaque attached to the center of the bridge. Imprinted, but hard to see at the top is the date, 1929.
When James Marshall died in the town of Kelsey on August 10th, 1885, he wasn't held in as high regard as the "gold discover", until later on. He had moved to Kelsey, after living in Coloma, to hunt for gold, and do blacksmith work. He was all but broke when he died, and was buried in the town of Kelsey, but outside the cemetery. The obelisk pictured above, in Kelsey just off Highway 193, shows the original site of his grave.
In May 1890, five years after Marshall's death, Placerville Parlor #9 of the Native Sons of The Golden West successfully advocated the idea of a monument to the State Legislature, which appropriated a total of $9,000 for the construction of a monument and tomb which can be seen today. A statue of Marshall stands on top of the monument, pointing to the spot where he made his discovery in 1848. He now lies buried under the much larger statue in James Marshall Gold Discovery Park in Coloma.
There have been a number of bridges crossing the confluence of the North and Middle Forks of The American River. This photograph shows a single buggy crossing this "cable bridge", sometime in the early 1900's. You can see some of the buildings just over on the Placer County, north side. These bridges were "toll" bridges, until the State of California took over. Likely you would have paid the bridge keeper on the other side.
You can see the buildings better in this winter view. Horse drawn stages were used for public transportation up until 1915, when they were replaced by automobiles.
Both photos from: California State Library
Home sweet home? This small home is located just off Highway 174 on Knorr Swiss Road, east of Colfax. You can see it from the highway on a road I suspect was a part of the old Dutch Flat Wagon Road, then The Lincoln Highway, Highway 40, and now Highway 174. Interstate 80 passed south of this area and now carries all of the interstate traffic.
There is a brown sign, something like a forest service sign sitting against the rock foundation. It reads, "Willmont Saddle". Willmont saddle is located in The Sawtooth Ridge area, and was used as a trail by members of The Donner Party searching for help.
The place sure looks like it's been there awhile, but of it's history I can only guess. Where it sit's though, is steeped in history.
Did you know there is an olive orchard at the top of Highway 49, on the Auburn side of the American River canyon? "Aeolia Heights was once a working orchard producing "Aeolia Olive Oil". 5,000 olive trees were planted in the 1890s by Frederick Birdsall. "The orchard was named for Aeolus, the Greek god of the winds, for the evening breezes that come down the canyon on summer evenings."
It was quite the operation until the 1950's, when imported olives started to make a dent in the business. Eventually the operation closed in the 1970's. The trees are overgrown now, and mostly unnoticed by those driving Highway 49 from Cool to Auburn. The above photo, taken in 1910, shows a young orchard in it's prime. You can see Highway 193 running along the hill. Auburn is to the left, the town of Cool, about 5 miles to the right.
Nice Auburn Journal article on the olives here.
Photo: California State Library
Just outside of Applegate, Ca., The Lincoln Highway passes through a 1927 subway, under the railroad tracks. Apparently, the original roadbed actually climbed up, and over the railroad tracks, making for a dangerous mix of trains and autos.. I assume as traffic picked up over the years, the highway department decided to build these subways, thus avoiding car train meetings.
There use to be an old wagon parked here, likely representing the fact that this is also an old wagon route from the 1800's. Now this old auto has shown up in it's place. A Lincoln Highway tribute, no doubt.
This is the view from the old alignment that crossed over the tracks. You can see the subway entrance up ahead, and to the right, below the tracks.
Monica is pointing to where The Lincoln Highways first route came out of the shrubbery, and trees to cross the tracks. We are facing southwest.
Now we are heading down The Lincoln Highway, after having crossed the railroad tracks, which can be seen up, and to the right.
Olivers Gas is located on both The Lincoln Highway, and Highway 40 in Clipper Gap, CA. This is the last independent operating gas station on the west slope of The Sierra in Placer County. It has been a gas station, bar, and store since the 1920's. The original structure that would have served Lincoln Highway customers burned in the 1940's and was replaced with the present structure that would be familiar to anyone driving on Highway 40 in those day's.
Before Olivers the site held a gun powder production facility dating from 1889, that lasted until 1917. It closed due to a number of explosions on site, including one that claimed 22 lives. Some of the ruins are still visible. The Lincoln Highway leaves this roadbed and turns right just up at the bend.
This is the view coming down The Lincoln, headed west.
This is facing the opposite way on The Lincoln Highway, east and uphill. Very nice old home on left must have witnessed a lot of interesting events over the years. We are at an elevation in The sierra of about 3000'.
The Lincoln Highway in the old town of El Dorado, CA. Picture date is unknown, but there is a old time car, Lincoln Highway era, parked down the road in the first photo. In this photo we are facing east. Interestingly, this photo came to my attention because of another photo of the building the car is parked in front of. The second photo is of the same building, facing west. It was unidentified, location unknown. After posting on a Placerville Facebook group, someone was able to ID the building as The Hill Hotel, in El Dorado on The old Highway 50, and earlier Lincoln Highway. Hotel burned down sometime after 1920's, and before 1960.
Photo from: California State Library http://bit.ly/2EXA157
The same view today. Plesant Valley Road, El Dorado, CA., facing east.
Driving through Garden Valley on Marshall Road, headed east, you'll pass a old rock ruin of a building next to the real estate office. This is all that remains of "Bill Tell's" store, built in 1855. It was owned by a Mr. William Pedrini, who owned a large parcel of land west of Garden Valley, known then as "Tell's" Ranch. During winter the cattle would stay in Garden Valley, but during summer they would drive their cattle up-country into the high Sierra, near "Tell's Peak". His nephew, Rinaldo Filipini arrived from Switzerland in 1859, and became the stores clerk. During the 1870's this family had one of the largest dairies in El Dorado County. In 1875 Rinaldo became a partner in the business, and through the years the place became known as, "The Filipini Store".
Garden Valley had two big dairy ranches during the 1880's, The Filipini and Bacchi ranches. The Filipini Ranch, in 1881 produced four ton's of cheese, and 3 ton's of butter! It's called Garden Valley for a reason. In 1909 the store was sold to A.F. Forni, so the man in the picture above could be Mr. Filipini .
During the relative quiet of the 1930's in The Foothills, it housed the Garden Valley post office, and still had a pine bar from the early days. During the 1930's the wooden parts of the building were destroyed, and today all that remains today is the stone foundation, wall's, and two steel doors you can see when driving by.
The old stone building today on Marshall Road.
It's 1930 and we have begun our decent, having just passed over Echo Summit. This is a much improved "modern" decent from the old road alignment at Slippery Ford, which carried pioneers, The Pony Express, and The Lincoln Highway. Off in the distance is Horsetail Falls, fed from The Desolation Wilderness, and Woods Lake. Elevation about 7000'. Traffic seems light, must be a weekday. Next stop, Twin Bridges, just around the bend.
Photo from: California State Library
The same view today.
Drove around Pacific House, El Dorado County, CA, which was an emigrant wagon road, Pony Express, Lincoln Highway, and Highway 50 landmark. Apparently, many well-known folks stayed here, including Mark Twain. Not much going on these days. We are facing east, and just a little further ahead, the Lincoln Highway leaves Peavine Ridge Road and connect into the present day Hwy. 50. Hwy. 50 is just out of the picture on the right. Peavine Ridge road continues down into the American River Canyon.
Detention camp between Shingle Springs and White Rock, prisoners finishing the last gap between Placerville and Sacramento, California
Here we see the construction of The Lincoln Highway, near Clarksville. The pavement was poured 10" thick, and convicts from Folsom Prison were used in it's construction. Follow this link for a picture you can zoom in on.
Here we see a highway crew pouring concrete for The Lincoln Highway in Shingle Springs. This spot looks real familiar. I think it's Durock Road right about where the pipe manufacturing plant would be, in that field.
At first we thought this place reconditioned old propellers for use as engines on airplanes. Turns out, they are reconditioned to be used as frost protection in vineyards. The photo was taken in St. Helena, CA, wine country. They're mounted on tall supports, over the vineyards. When frost arrives, they're turned on, moving the air and preventing damage to the emerging grapes shoots in spring.
The view from The Lincoln Park golf course. Years ago it was a cemetery for the less "well off" of the city. When they dug up, and moved all the burials in SF to Colma back in the 19th century, they evidently forgot this one. Nice view.
