Murphys

The plaque names the town for the discoverer of gold on the flat in 1849 and never says who he was. What it does name is the engineering: a suspension flume carrying water across Murphys Creek, and a race cut to drain the flat, which it calls two outstanding accomplishments. Twenty million dollars came off this ground. The register adds that Joaquin Murrieta is said to have begun his murderous career here; the bronze says he did.

What the plaque says

MURPHYS ONE OF THE PRINCIPAL MINING COMMUNITIES IN CALAVERAS COUNTY, NAMED FOR THE DISCOVERER OF GOLD ON THE FLAT IN 1849. THE OBJECTIVE OF MANY IMMIGRANTS COMING OVER THE SIERRAS BY EBBETTS PASS, MURPHYS FLAT AND SURROUNDING MINES PRODUCED 20,000,000 DOLLARS IN GOLD. EARLY REGULATIONS RESTRICTED CLAIMS TO 8 FT. SQUARE. SUSPENSION FLUME CONVEYING WATER ACROSS MURPHYS CREEK AND DRAINAGE RACE DRAINING THE FLAT, WERE TWO OUTSTANDING ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF EARLY DAY MINERS. BUSINESS PORTION OF TOWN DESTROYED BY FIRE AUGUST 20 1859. JOAQUIN MURIETTA BANDIT, BEGAN HIS MURDEROUS CAREER HERE. CALAVERAS LIGHT GUARDS RECRUITING FOR CIVIL WAR, ORGANIZED HERE MAY 4 1861. ERECTED AND DEDICATED DEC 1937 BY RUBY PARLOR No 46 NATIVE DAUGHTERS OF THE GOLDEN WEST. CHISPA PARLOR No 139 NATIVE SONS OF THE GOLDEN WEST.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Columbia State Historic Park — 6.9 mi
  The Gem of the Southern Mines, still open for business on a car-free Gold Rush main street.

More markers nearby

• Mitchler Hotel — steps away
• Peter L. Traver Building — steps away
• Site of Brownsville — 1.2 mi
• Douglas Flat — 1.5 mi