Tag: History
St. Francis of the Mountains: History of the Hidden Chapel at Fallen Leaf Lake
Tucked among the trees near Fallen Leaf Lake, St. Francis of the Mountains is one of those places that feels easy to miss and impossible to forget. The little chapel does not announce itself with size or grandeur. Instead, it draws people in with its quiet setting, rustic character, and deep ties to the early …...
The Spirit of Sacramento: an abandoned riverboat with a fascinating tale
Along a quiet stretch of the Sacramento River, there is a roadside attraction that feels almost too strange to be real: a weathered, old sternwheeler sitting high and dry, as if it drifted out of the past and anchored along the Garden Highway. What makes this attraction even more interesting, is the fact that it’s …...
The story behind the abandoned Colfax Hotel
Long ago, when the town of Colfax, formerly Illinoistown, was surrounded only by mountains and dirt roads, the iron horses of the Central Pacific and later Southern Pacific Railroads were blazing a trail in its very direction. In fact, Colfax became the heart of a new junction, connecting Grass Valley and Nevada City to the …...
The Cohn House: Folsom’s historical, non-haunted mansion
Located at 305 Scott Street in Folsom, California, stands a magnificent and stately mansion on the top of a hill. Known at one time as Folsom’s very own “Nob Hill,” sits three of the most beautiful historic homes in town. But, it’s the Cohn Mansion that catches everyone’s eye. Built in the 1890’s by local …...
Clarksburg’s mighty Cornish house and the tale of George F. Cornish
150 years ago, George F. Cornish and his wife Mary made their way to Yolo County, California, with the aspirations of a better life for them and their future family. In 1868, they built a magnificent house along the banks of the Sacramento River, near the town of Clarksburg. Over time, the Cornish house was …...
Captain Jack’s Stronghold: a cultural and historical centerpiece of California
Located in Northern California, Siskiyou and Modoc Counties, lies an amazing gathering of volcanic formations known as Lava Beds National Monument. Spread out over 46,000 acres, this land is now a historic monument and State Park. However, for many generations, this was sacred land to the Modoc tribe long before Americans ever made it to...
Forest City: Sierra County’s authentic Gold Rush ghost town
Forest City, appropriately named because of its location in the Tahoe National Forest, was settled in the summer of 1852 when miners discovered gold at the forks of the Oregon Creek in Sierra County. Within a few short years, the town grew to over 1,000 residents and at least 30 commercial businesses. However, like other …...
A historical look at the Mare Island Naval Hospital
The Mare Island Hospital is a massive structure with an immense presence. Although it has been inactive for nearly six decades, this retired hospital is an impressive sight with a fascinating history. Mare Island’s Beginnings Mare Island drew its name from General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo himself, after the General had found one...
The Gable Mansion: Woodland’s historic home is a symbol of perseverance
The Gable Mansion, located in Woodland, was built in 1885 and is a classic example of 19th century Victorian Italianate architecture. The mansion’s romantic exterior and remarkable interior will surely astound even the least enthusiastic visitor. But, the most impressive aspect about this California Historical Landmark is how it...
Matthew Kilgore Cemetery: The once forgotten history of Rancho Cordova
Throughout California, there have been hundreds of cemeteries lost or forgotten. In some extreme cases, cemeteries have been paved over, buried under housing and business developments or even tossed into the sea. It’s a sad reality that some people and businesses don’t care about the state’s forefathers, regional pioneers or...
