7/23/2004
7/23/2004
3/17/2007
Landmark information
- Location:
Hwy 4 (PM 25.6), Vallecito - Plaque:
Other Plaque - Site:
Existing - Date First Visited:
2/17/1997 - Date Most Recently Visited:
3/17/2007 - GPS Coordinates:
N 38 5.134, W 120 28.377
About this landmark
Plaque text:
Vallecito
One of California's important early day mining towns named by Mexicans meaning little valley. Gold was discovered here by the Murphy brothers in 1849. It was originally called "Murphy's Old Diggings." This bell was cast at Troy N.Y. in 1853. After being brought around the horn it was purchased from the ship with funds contributed by early day residents, then brought to Vallecito and erected in a large oak tree in 1854. It was used to call the people together for all purposes until February 16, 1939, when a severe wind blew the old tree down.