Tag Archives: 1800s

Gold Mining in Columbia, California

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Planning to travel from San Francisco to Yosemite, I was excited to add Columbia State Historic Park to my itinerary.  Imagining what it would have been like to live during the Gold Rush of the 1800s, I was looking forward to strolling the streets and exploring its  old restored buildings.

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Located off of Highway 49 near the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Columbia was once a vibrant town that drew a population of gold seekers in hopes of living the American dream.  As I entered this beautifully restored historic district, I found the parking lot off of Broadway Street in close proximity to the park.  The first building on my tour was the Fallon Hotel where I picked up Washington Street, a pedestrian only walkway.  Following the map, I identified more than 30 buildings that existed during the California Gold Rush remaining on this site today.   According to the park’s website, this is the “largest single collection of existing gold rush-era structures in the state”.
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What I love about this place is that the structures are used to house various businesses acting as a working town.  Unfortunately, I had arrived during the middle of the week in the fall and many of the stores had already closed for the afternoon.  There were, however, some of the attractions open such as the blacksmith, an ice cream store, a saloon and a location for panning gold.

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I learned from the young girl at the ice cream shop that during the summer this is an extremely busy place where people wear period costumes to re-enact how life would have been like during the Gold Rush.  There are horse drawn stage coach rides and the stores and restaurants are open for business.

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As I walked along the quiet streets, I came across the Columbia Museum.  Unfortunately it was closed as I would have loved to have learned more about the history of this town.  In addition to the museum, free tours are provided during season and on Gold Rush Days  held on the second Saturday of each month year around.

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Saloons were a very important part of the gold mining culture. Usually depicted in western movies as gambling joints and full of promiscuous women, the halls were a place for locals to hang out throughout the day when they took some time away from panning gold.

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In 1961, the town of Columbia was declared a National Historic Landmark.  Beautifully preserved and well-maintained, this location provides an in-depth look into the lives of gold miners and the hardships that they endured.  What is so great about this park is that it is free. and even the guided tours are provided at no charge, so what a great reason to visit.  Not to mention the opportunity to pan for gold.

Do you have a favorite historical site in the US?  I would love to hear about it if you would kindly leave a comment in the section below!  Many Thanks and Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Columbia State Historic Park
11255 Jackson Street
Columbia, CA  95310
Telephone: 209 588 9128

  • Admission Fee:  There is no fee for visiting Columbia State Historic Park.
  • Hours:  Open daily 24 hours but most businesses are open from 10AM to 5PM
  • Amenities:  visitor center, restaurants, shopping, gold mining, hiking, guided tours, historical site, picnic areas, interpretive exhibits, museums, family programs, lodging
  • Scenic View: This scenic old town offers several great photographic opportunity
  • Length of Visit:  1 – 2 hours
  • Tips for Your Visit:  Each month the town hosts “Gold Rush Days” on the second Saturday from 1 – 4PM.

Where to Stay:

Columbia City Hotel
Columbia State Historic Park
22768 Main Street
Columbia, CA  95310
Telephone:  209 588 9128

Where to Eat:

The Nugget Cafe
22758 Parrotts Ferry Road
Columbia, CA  95310

This restaurant is only open for breakfast. I ordered my typical breakfast of eggs, bacon, toast and side of hashbrowns. Great portion sizes and tasty meal.

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Old Time Fire Engine, Columbia, California

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Gold Mine in Columbia, California

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Eagle Cotage at Columbia Historical Site

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Columbia Gazette, California

DSC_0183 City Hotel, Columbia, California

The Ohio River Museum in Marietta, Ohio

Update:  The Ohio River Museum is currently closed for renovation.  Check the website for more information.

Stationed along the Ohio River in the town of Marietta is the Ohio River Museum.  Located in southeast Ohio, Marietta was the state’s first permanent settlement dating 1787.  Because of its location at the confluence of the Ohio and Muskingum Rivers, this was site was once a bustling port for importing and exporting goods as well as passengers along its waterways.  The Ohio River Museum highlights the importance of  this river system and the transportation vessels that once occupied these waters.The first successful steamboat dates back to the late 1700s when John Fitch mastered the building of the vessel with its primary purpose to transport goods along the Delaware River.  The Ohio River Museum displays a beautiful replica of the “Pioneer” which was a shipping vessel among the Great Lakes fleets dating back to 1901.

In the early 1800s, Marietta became a location where sea-faring vessels were built transporting goods to Cincinnati, New Orleans and New York.  The first seafaring vessel, the St. Clair, was built in Marietta scheduled to arrive at the Gulf of Mexico.  With its 60-foot masts, it was three times the size of previous riverboats. Imagine in 1801, most of the population of Cincinnati, waiting along its banks to watch the St. Clair float along the Ohio River.At the Point in Marietta, additional seaworthy vessels were being built to include the John Farnum schooner.  This beautiful vessel is on display at the Ohio River Museum.  The Historical Marietta blog provides the following information about this barque.

“She was two hundred and forty-nine and one half tons.  Her keel was laid in the Spring of 1846 and she was launched in February 1847.  She was towed at once to Portsmouth where she took on a cargo of Indian Corn.  She was measured, inspected and cleared at Louisville, Ky.  Her destination was ‘Cork or a Port.’
She arrived at Cork in May, 1847 during the great famine in Ireland and returned to Philadelphia in August and was sold to Potter, McKeever & Co. of that city.  The Master builder was Capt. William Knox, of Harmar.  Capt. A. B. Waters had charge of the vessel and cargo with Capt. George Hatch as Navigator.   Capt. Hatch was afterwards Mayor of Cincinnati.”
The steamboat would eventually become a mode of transportation for passengers in the 1820s.  Depending on the size of the vessel, the number of crew could range from 5 to 120.
Many of the ships would offer entertainment for its passengers to include Vaudeville acts, band performances and theater productions.
The captain’s main purpose was to ensure the safety of cargo and passengers onboard and monitor the financial success of each voyage.  Safety devices such as posted placards, life jackets and life rings were readily available to passengers.
Additional positions included the clerk, who handled the exchange of money; the engineer who maintained the mechanical safety of the vessel and the pilot.  The pilot was navigator who was responsible for guiding the ship along the waterway.   Under the pilot (and captain) was the mate.  There were also the roustabouts (laborers) and the cabin crew.
The pilot would communicate with the engineer by use of the Engine Room Signal Indicator.
The Guiding Star traveled between Cincinnati and New Orleans between 1878 to 1893 when it was destroyed by a fire on January 6.
The Delta Queen is quite possibly the most known of all of the steamboats as it continues to sail between Minneapolis to Pittsburgh today.  She is the sister ship to the Delta King which is currently docked in Sacramento.
The Queen City was one of the grandest packet boats to work the river. Built in 1897 by the Cincinnati Marine Railway Company for the Cincinnati – Pittsburg route, she also sailed along the Chattahoochee, Kanawha, Mississippi, Monongahela and Ohio Rivers.  According to the Ohio County Public Library, “The Queen City was designed for high class patronage at a time of affluence. Captain Ellison was influenced in his design by the Idlewild and he had made a study of Great Lakes steamers which he utilized. Her mahogany cabin was finished in gilt trim and the ceiling was of pressed metal sheets with ornate design. She had wire mesh railings studded with rosettes. She had a carved figurehead rising from her stem which she retained until she was rebuilt at Mound City, Illinois in 1920.”
“A metal Queen City emblem in gold appeared on each stateroom door. Her grand piano was presented by the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce. She had oil paintings on the rounded cabin bulkheads. She had shining brass oil lamps in swinging brackets and overhead lights coming from twined oak leaves of metal. Queen City and her sister boat, Virginia, were advertised in Pittsburgh’s social register and brought in many fashionable Pittsburgh citizens. Queen City was christened by Harriet Henderson, daughter of Captain James A. Henderson, president of the P & C Line. She was launched on June 5, 1897; ran her trials through June 10th and departed for Pittsburgh June 19th.  On her 1914 trip downbound, she sank on the Falls at Louisville on Feb. 17th. She continued on Mardi Gras trips in 1921, 1922, 1923, 1925 and 1930. After her ill-fated Mardi Gras trip in 1914, she was laid up in the Kanawha River at Pt. Pleasant, West Virginia until early summer 1916 when she returned to Louisville and ran excursions. She was moved to the foot of Liberty Street because of wharf improvements and sank there in January, 1940. Her wreckage was burned on February 17, 1940 (in Pittsburg).”
On display at the Ohio River Museum are several vessels which were used to transport goods and passengers along the Ohio River.  In addition, there are several displays of items which would have been found in the kitchen and dining rooms as well as personal effects from the officers and crew.
Sailing down the Ohio or Mississippi River on a riverboat is such an historic journey, visiting the modest, less populated river towns would be the opportunity of a lifetime.  While riverboat transportation was incredibly popular with the transport of goods and passengers, the mid 1800s changed everything.  By this time, the railroads became the primary mode of transportation for passengers and goods, replacing the use of riverboats, for what seemed the end of riverboat travel.  Today, passengers can board the Delta Queen with its robust itinerary and the opportunity to experience a riverboat cruise in the footsteps of Mark Twain.
Have you had the opportunity to visit the Ohio River Museum?  I would love to know about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my visit to the Ohio River Museum and wishing you many Happy Travels!
What to See and What to Do: 
601 Front Street
Marietta, Ohio  45750
Telephone:  740 373 3717
  • Admission Fee:  $7.00 to tour the museum and W.R. Snyder steam powered towboat.
  • Hours:   Saturday from 9:30AM to 5PM, Sunday:  12PM to 5PM, closed Monday and Tuesday, Wednesday – Thursday:  10AM to 5PM;  Please refer to the museum’s website to confirm hours of operation.
  • Amenities:  waterpark, restaurants, group rates, handicap accessible, annual passes, discounts and promotions, attractions, live shows, rides, lego minilands, movies, gardens,
  • Length of Visit:  Prepare to spend 1 – 2 hours, especially if you plan to tour the W.R. Snyder steam powered towboat.
  • Tips for Your Visit:  Wear comfortable shoes.  The visit to the W.R. Snyder steam powered towboat may require some agility to enter, be prepared.
Where to Stay: 
101 Front Street
Marietta, Ohio  45750
Telephone:  740 373-5522

Where to Eat:

Boathouse BBQ
218 Virginia Street
Marietta, OH  45750
Telephone:  740 373 3006

You have to try the Pulled Pork Mac & Cheese!  Amazing!

What to Read: 

  • A Guide to Historic Marietta Ohio, by Lynne Sturtevant

Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse, Portland, Maine

There is only a ten minute drive between the Portland Head Lighthouse to the Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse in  Portland.   As we travel the coast into the South Side of Portland, the views are spectacular with sailboats in the cove surrounded by million dollar mansions.

The lighthouse was completed in 1897 and is one of 49 caisson-style lighthouses in the United States that visitors can walk to.  It protects sailors from the dangerous ledge as they enter the Casco Bay and Portland Harbor, located at the end of the 950-foot breakwater.

Built by Thomas Dyer, the lighthouse measures 77 feet in height and was an integral part of protecting Portland’s growing harbor in the 1800s.   It was lit by William A. Lane on May 24, 1897.  The breakwater was added in 1951, built of 50, 000 tons of local granite.

The lighthouse was transferred to private ownership under the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act of 1996 and a trust was formed in 1998 to maintain Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse and manage future restoration projects.

While visitors can walk along the breakwater for a closer view of Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse, guided tours begin after the Memorial Day weekend on Tuesdays and Thursdays and limited Saturdays from 11:30AM to 1:30PM as the weather allows.  The cost is $5 per person.  Private tours are also available for up to 12 people with a fee of $150.

Have you had the opportunity to visit Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse?  Did you take the guided tour?  I would love to hear about your visit if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my wonderful visit to Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse
2 Fort Road
South Portland, ME  04106
Telephone: 866 570 5703

  • Admission:   Free
  • Hours:  Open daily 365 days a year from sunrise to sunset
  • Amenities:  Guided tours, beach nearby,
  • Length of Your Tour:  1 – 2 hours to visit
  • Tips for Your Visit:  There is a beach and fort next to the lighthouse.  There is a small fee to enter the lighthouse and call ahead to schedule a tour.  Check the tide as it is best to visit during low tide.  Small parking area on the community college’s campus.

Where to Stay:

Inn at St. John Portland In-Town
939 Congress Street
Portland, ME  04102
Telephone:  800 636 9127

Where to Eat:

DiMillos
25 Long Wharf
Portland, ME  04101
Telephone:  207 772 2216

What to Eat:

Seafood, especially lobster!

What to Read:

  • Delirium, by Lauren Oliver
  • Persuader, by Lee Child
  • Shelter in Place, by Nora Roberts
  • The Singing Trees, by Boo Walker
  • The Probability of Miracles, by Wendy Wunder

Photo Guide for Portland:

  • Boda Thai Kitchen
  • Casco Bay and the Portland Head Lighthouse
  • Crown Jewel
  • Drifter’s Wife
  • Eventide Oyster Company
  • Portland Head Lighthouse
  • The Press Hotel

Canal Market District in Newark, Ohio

Fresh fruit and vegetables, new products and crafts were just a few of the items available at the Canal Market District in downtown Newark.

Opening in 2016, the market began with close to ten vendors and offered a summer schedule of local entertainment.

 Some of the amazing merchants I met included Nay and Terry Dismore from Pretzels with a Twist.  Their company offers miniature gourmet pretzels with lots of flavor.  From ChipotleQue to Peppermint Cocoa, there is a fantastic combination for any pretzel lover.

JC’s Lemonade was such a refreshing drink and I absolutely loved the pineapple twist flavor.

The marketplace was once a section of the Ohio & Erie Canal which passed through this space in the early 1800s. Horse-drawn boats would transport goods along the 308 miles of waterway until 1913 when the Great Dayton Flood destroyed much of its banks, aqueducts and locks.  A beautiful black and white mural memorializes the canal’s culture and history.

The market is located at 36 East Canal Street and is open on Fridays between 4 – 7PM from May through October.  While there are several downtown restaurants, food trucks are also available for food and for those who prefer to drink, Canal Market District is also located in the DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area), allowing person s aged 21 and older to buy alcohol.  In addition, the Canal Market District’s covered pavilion may be rented to host weddings and memorable occasions for up to 190 attendees.

What to See and What to Do:

Canal Market District
26 East Canal Street
Newark, OH
Telephone:  740 527 0420

Where to Stay:

Doubletree by Hilton Hotel
50 N. Second Street
Newark, OH  43055

Where to Eat:

Bummie’s On Main
400 West Main Street
Newark, OH  43056
Telephone:  740 522 0730

Best Reuben sandwich in town!