Wells Fargo Express Company Building (Chinese Camp, California) Explained

Tuolumne Wells Fargo Express Company Building
Coordinates:37.8709°N -120.4317°W
Built:1849, years ago
Built For:Wells Fargo Express
Architect:Walkerly brothers
Architecture:Western Brick
Designation1:California
Designation1 Date:June 6, 1934
Designation1 Number:140

Tuolumne Wells Fargo Express Company Building is a historical building in Chinese Camp, California Tuolumne County, California. The Tuolumne Wells Fargo Express Company Building is a California Historical Landmark No. 140 listed on June 6, 1934. The Tuolumne Wells Fargo Express Company Building was built in 1849. Contrustion was done by the Walkerly brothers. After the Wells Fargo Express moved out the Morris brothers took ownership of the building and it became a general store. Morris brothers also worked with the Adams Express Company. The original express agents were Sol Miller, C. W. H. Solinsky, and the Morris brothers. [1]

Fire from the many wooden buildings and the used of lanterns and candles for lighting made early California Gold Rush have any fires. The Tuolumne Wells Fargo Express Company Building was made of brick, with iron doors and iron window shutters to protect it from fires. [2]

The Tuolumne Wells Fargo Express Company Building is at Main Street and Solinsky Alley in Chinese Camp. The marker was placed there by California Office of Historic Preservation. [3]

The marker reads:
Born December 17, 1880, in Snelling, Calif. One of the last of the stage drivers, Eddie made the haul from Chinese Camp to the Coulterville, Groveland areas between 1898-1902 and drove the first mail stage over the new Shawmut Road.
Place by E Clampus Vitus on May 6, 1961.[2]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: CHL # 140 Wells Fargo Express Company Building Tuolumne. www.californiahistoricallandmarks.com.
  2. Web site: California Historical Landmark #140: Wells Fargo Express Company Building in Tuolumne County. noehill.com.
  3. Web site: Sonora Mono Toll Road Historical Marker. www.hmdb.org.