Chili Gulch

Both sides went to law and only one verdict was enforced. American miners here drew up a code in December 1849 giving foreign miners fifteen days to leave; the Chileans working the gulch rode to Stockton and came back with warrants. A shooting fight followed, and then a miners court at Mokelumne Hill sentenced three men to be shot, five to fifty lashes, and three to have their ears cut off. Two of the three shot were Chilean and one was Mexican.

What the plaque says

CHILI GULCH STATE REGISTERED LANDMARK No. 265 RICHEST PLACER MINING SECTION, EXTENDING FIVE MILES, IN CALAVERAS COUNTY. RECEIVED NAME FROM CHILEANS WHO WORKED GULCH IN 1848 AND 1849, AND SCENE OF THE SO-CALLED CHILEAN WAR. LARGEST KNOWN QUARTZ CRYSTALS RECOVERED FROM MINE ON SOUTH SIDE OF GULCH. MARKER PLACED BY CALIFORNIA CENTENNIALS COMMISSION. BASE FURNISHED BY MOKELUMNE LIONS CLUB DEDICATED JULY 4, 1949

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Columbia State Historic Park — 20 mi
  The Gem of the Southern Mines, still open for business on a car-free Gold Rush main street.

More markers nearby

• Pioneer Cemetery — 0.9 mi
• San Andreas — 1.7 mi
• Double Springs — 2.4 mi
• Paloma — 4.5 mi