California Caverns at Cave City

While the rest of the county dug holes for gold, this one sold tickets. Captain Joseph Taylor found the entrance in 1850 and opened it to visitors, and the register dates organised tours to 1854, which is reckoned the first show cave in the state. Guests were handed a candle and a nail, and the names they scratched are still on the walls. John Muir came in 1876. No plaque was ever cast here: a painted wooden sign at the gate carries the landmark number.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Columbia State Historic Park — 12 mi
  The Gem of the Southern Mines, still open for business on a car-free Gold Rush main street.

More markers nearby

• El Dorado — 2.5 mi
• Peter L. Traver Building — 5.1 mi
• Mitchler Hotel — 5.1 mi
• Murphys — 5.2 mi