Site of Pioneer Jewish Synagogue

The building outlived its purpose three times over and then went, so the landmark is the ground. Congregation B'nai Israel dedicated the first synagogue in the Mother Lode on this site on 18 September 1857 and kept the high holidays here until 1869, when the congregation had outgrown it and moved into the Masonic hall. The wooden structure served as a schoolhouse until 1888, was moved onto a nearby lot, became somebody's house, and was pulled down in 1948.

What the plaque says

SITE OF PIONEER JEWISH SYNAGOGUE ON SEPTEMBER 18, 1857, CONGREGATION B'NAI ISRAEL OF JACKSON DEDICATED ON THIS SITE THE FIRST SYNAGOGUE IN THE MOTHER LODE. HIGH HOLIDAY WORSHIP CONTINUED UNTIL 1869 WHEN THE LARGER MASONIC HALL WAS USED TO ACCOMMODATE THE CONGREGATION. THE WOODEN STRUCTURE THEN SERVED AS A SCHOOLHOUSE UNTIL 1888. RELOCATED ONTO A NEARBY LOT, IT BECAME A PRIVATE DWELLING, AND WAS RAZED IN 1948. CALIFORNIA REGISTERED HISTORICAL LANDMARK NO. 865 PLAQUE PLACED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION IN COOPERATION WITH THE COMMISSION FOR THE PRESERVATION OF PIONEER JEWISH CEMETERIES AND LANDMARKS OF THE JUDAH L. MAGNES MEMORIAL MUSEUM, JUNE 27, 1976.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Columbia State Historic Park — 29 mi
  The Gem of the Southern Mines, still open for business on a car-free Gold Rush main street.

More markers nearby

• Pioneer Hall — steps away
• Argonaut and Kennedy Mines — 1.2 mi
• Jackson Gate — 1.6 mi
• Butte Store — 2.7 mi