Friday, January 04, 2013

California Historical Landmark #320

Timbuctoo
California State Historical Landmark #320

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This plaque is located on State Highway 20 (P.M. 14.9), while the town site is on Timbuctoo Road, 1.0 miles west of Smartville, California. There are 6 other California State Historical Landmarks in Yuba County. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 39° 13.760 W 121° 22.970.

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California Historial Landmark #320

In 1855, Timbuctoo was the largest town in eastern Yuba County. At the height of its prosperity it contained a church, theater, stores, hotels, and saloons, a Wells Fargo office, and the Stewart Bros. store which was restored in 1928 and dedicated to the town's pioneer men and women.

California Historial Landmark #320

The town was founded in the early 1850s and, according to legend, it was named after a former African slave who was from the Timbuktu Region of Mali. At its peak, Timbuctoo was home to 1,200 residents. Large hydraulic mining operations were conducted throughout the town's existence. The town began to decline after hydraulic mining was outlawed in 1884. Today, there are few remnants of the gold mining days.

The Wells Fargo Office and Stewart Brothers Store, which was built in 1855, was the last remaining structure. Although it was restored by the Native Sons of the Golden West in 1928, it has since collapsed. Remnants of the building are located at the GPS coordinates +39° 13' 1.20", -121° 19' 4.80".

California Historial Landmark #320

Wells Fargo office and Stewart Brothers store after restoration, 1936. The building has since collapsed.
Source: Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Historic American Buildings Survey, [HABS CAL,58-TIMTO,2-1].

Main Street, circa 1850s. Source: Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division,
Historic American Buildings Survey, [HABS CAL,58-TIMTO,1-2].

Lithograph of Main Street, 1862. Source: Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division,
Historic American Buildings Survey, [HABS CAL,58-TIMTO,1-1].

1 comment:

  1. Looking at the latest photos of the Stewart's Store on Timbuctoo--SEE 'EM WHILE YOU CAN!

    ReplyDelete