Shaw's Flat: Forgotten Mining Camp of the 1850s & Its Dead
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- Опубліковано 20 тра 2023
- Jeff takes this episode of History Hunters to the long gone 49er's mining camp of Shaw's Flat near Sonora in Tuolumne County, California. A vast number of miners lived here in the 1850s during the Gold Rush period. Nearby is the historic graveyard with markers back to that exciting time in California history. Some of the folks buried there were victims of mining accidents.
#historyhunters #mining #tuolumnecounty #goldrush
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Great video. I grew up in Shaws Flat spending lots of time with my grandparents there. The Barn that was used by the Mississippi House was on their property. As kids we used to play in the Mississippi House. It was purchased around 20 to 25 years ago with the intent to restore it. It was just too far gone. The concrete trough thats all busted up always had Gold Fish in it. Fond memories.
Thanks for your story ❤
Thank you for sharing your memories of this place, I really appreciate it!
These cemetery visits are always interesting to me. I'd glad you give respect to those that the world may not even know.
Thank you Jim!!!
Must’ve been a wagon train from Maine. Thanks, Jeff!
And a BIG wagon train at that...with a short stop in Maryland!
Love how you actually get out and walk the area of the stories you’re telling. Great work !
I have seen some UA-camrs who just drive by and don’t get out and I just shake my head. Thank you so much for your comment.
It's criminal that any of the buildings of that era would be torn down. Very sad as I'm a history buff myself, Jeff. ❤your channel.
Indeed. The economics of preservation is brutal. History buffs aren't known for being a demographic of wealthy philanthropists (or vice versa) either.
We are talking about California here.....
It is sad that the old historic buildings are gone. At least we have you to keep the history alive. Thanks, Jeff, for the history lesson.
Such a beautiful place! I agree, today's kids really need to learn more of our country's history! Thanks for another great episode Jeff!
It's really amazing how those markers are still standing, but great to see. This was a great video as always.
husband speaking age 80, another wonderful little story. So much history, so many wonderful little spots to
stop and wonder at about the folks who risked it all to come West. Life does go by fast.
Completely agree with teaching young people about history. I just got back from a two week trip on the east coast. For a week we went to all historical places, it was amazing. My 9 year old son loved it too, my husband not as much but he comes along lol.
Great job as always. I look forward to your videos every Sunday.
I always say that if history is taught the right way then it's not boring. But maybe that's just the adult in me. I think we don't make history relevant in the classroom. Glad your son is into it. As a kid I loved road trips where we visited old towns and battle fields and state capitols and presidential libraries!
Great video Jeff. Such a shame the old building wasn't preserved. I love how you present history, so interesting. Thank you.
Thank you so much for your nice compliment, Dawn. We appreciate your time this morning watching our video. We send our blessings.
What a lovely video. The cemetery is one of the most beautiful that I have ever seen. Your personal comments were interesting and poignant. Thanks for taking us with you.
This was very interesting. What a shame that old building, that was across the street, is gone... I noticed the very casual way the cemetery is laid out. It's almost like people just picked a spot... Yes, so many of them were in their 20s and 30s. That is sad. Thank you for sharing this historic place with us, Jeff. 🪦🖼🪦
I have no doubt that many of the people who are buried there are now without a marker, and it would take a vast archaeological effort to figure out where they’re buried. I am convinced that with time so many of these gravemarkers have been stolen or fallen over and buried by, the debris from the trees but it’s still a beautiful place and I enjoy the visit there.
Enjoyed again Jeff ,keeping the history alive
Awesome to hear. Thank you so much, John!
Another great video Jeff, well done! Thank you sir.
Thank you very much my friend Wayne down under. We appreciate comments and hope that you have a beautiful day. I guess it is already because it’s morning here in California.
@@jbenziggy Good morning Jeff. Arrived back in Singapore Saturday night. Now 07:02 Monday and back to the office after 3 week’s Leave. Reality bites 😅😅
Thank you Jeff for the great comment at the end of the video. California has such a great history. It is truly sad that there are those who are trying to discourage the teaching of California’s history and or erase it all together. I find it fascinating that there were those that had the courage to do what they did so one day a person like yourself are willing to give us all a small glimpse into their lives.
Absolutely 💯
Another great episode brother! Thanks for not forgetting God.
We cannot forget God, because he did not forget us, but sadly many people do.
Grew up in the East Bay with a Dad that loved to check out historical places. We spent countless summers driving all over Northern CA to see and learn the states history. Watching all of your CA segments brings back many great memories. Very much enjoy your channel!
Great video Jeff. Like I’ve said, it’s a shame historical buildings get torn down. We definitely need to teach history to our young people. Unfortunately, things are starting to repeat history because no one knows history.
Such a beautiful and peaceful cemetery. I wish they would have saved and preserved the Mississippi House. I agree with you, Jeff. Looking at those headstones really makes you think of your own life here on earth. Our time here is so short, gotta make the most of it. Thanks for keeping history alive.
Thank you so very much. Yes, our lives are very short and it’s important to live every day to the fullest.
Good morning Jeff,
It's sure obvious that California was on the places to go list for folks from Main in the early years. At 73 I'm learning more about the history of our great state than I knew possible, thank you Jeff for all your efforts.
Jeff, great video as usual and the cemetery what a beautiful place. Henry Ford once said if you don't know your past you will never know your future. Thank you so much for sharing and really enjoyed this history lesson.
Very peaceful place .Hard working people resting.Have a great week
Another beautiful and positive video. Thanks...I loved the music, too!
Thank you very much for the wonderful comment. I try to give it a positive feel even though we spent a lot of time talking about dead people. They are at peace somewhere in heaven, hopefully.
Such another great video!! I live how you take us back to remember the ones before us and what they went through!
Thank you very much, Diane. I only wish that I had a photograph for every person that I show the final resting place of. That’s just not possible though, but I hope I made the video interesting.
I love how you honor places that almost have been erased. I especially love walking through the cemeteries and learning such fascinating things about the lives of those buried there. Great job again.
That is indeed a beautiful and peaceful cemetary. The trees and nature there look so calming.
Awesome work!! Love seeing all the historical things right in our backyards!
Thank you Jeff for another great video. I love history. I thank you and Sarah for bringing us your passion for history.
I totally agree wi you Jeff, that it’s sad that old buildings are so easily are torn down. It’s a piece of history that cannot be replaced. Thanks for another piece of history.
Been there - just passing through on my way to other places but it brought back some fond memories. 😀 Thank you so much for your time and effort!
Jeff; thank you for yet another nugget for our history hunting pleasures. ☮️
Thank you very much for watching our video this morning. I hope you have a blessed day.
I always enjoy the visits to old towns and when you point out things still there. Thank you
Thank you so much. I’m glad that you enjoyed this video. I’m sorry there wasn’t much of the town to show you. It would’ve been nice if that old store was still standing but I think it’s been a decade since they removed it.
I've driven through Shaw's Flat dozens of times. I had no idea a cemetery was back in there. Thanks for taking us there with you. Great accompaniment music, too. Perfect!
Nice little cemetery filled with folks that had so much hardships but endeavored to preserver.. Glad to gave them a chance to be remembered.
I look forward to every Sunday morning watching your videos drinking my coffee☕️Thank you!
Jeff, thanks for reliving our history week in & week out 👍. NEVER FORGET
Thank you so much for being in our audience to appreciate the content of our channel. I’m having a blast reliving it with you all.
Thank you Jeff! Awesome video!
Thanks, my friend!
Been by that location many times… Thanks again for another great video!.. Jeff
Thank you, Jeff!
Jeff, back in the 90s, one Sunday, my friend and I had spent the weekend at Tahoe and we were on our way home. When we got to Truckee from Incline Village we decided to take the day and drive part of Gold Country, going towards Graeagle. I don't know what highway # was but we stopped at every cemetery we could find. They each seemed to be designed and organized in the same way. Pauper graves were always near the gate and the Mayors or Sheriffs would be in the back with the more wealthy folks (we determined that by the size and quality of the headstone) were buried in the back but the Mayor and such. The pauper graves rarely had names but some did say things like "town drunk" or "died in a gunfight" and we even saw one that only said "hung". Most of them just had the date of their death carved on a wooden cross. There were a couple of them that were a little creepy but we really enjoyed the day. Kind of odd but we did. We were fascinated and couldn't wait to find more although there were a lot of children, some infants who were buried there so that was a little gutwrenching but overall, it was very interesting. I'll bet we stopped at 8 cemetaries on the way back to Reno. Anyway, thanks for this video! I love that you do shows near where I lived for over 20 years. Nevada is amazing and those are my favs but Gold Country is a close second because, as we drive by places, I ofter wonder about the things I see. You put it together and it's much appreciated! Thanks again Jeff!
I’m learning more and more about American history by listening and watching your videos when I get a chance to… thanks ❣️🇳🇿
Thank you Jeff for yet ANOTHER great vlog. Yes life is very fleeting. Since I lost my wife in Dec. I have learned to appreciate each morning that I open my eyes. God Bless take care...
I really appreciate your channel Jeff, and all the hard work researching history that you do. No drama, just the facts!
I appreciate the kind words of support! Thank you!!!
I don't always commit on your videos but I do watch all of them because I enjoy watching them. Please never stop the most important work you are doing!!
Thanks David! I very much appreciate you breaking your silence to comment! It really does help us keep going both in terms of algorithms but in the encouragement!
Amen brother! We all need to learn AND RETAIN some of our history. We are such a mess right now as people have forgotten how important it truly is.
Thumbs up ..INDEED !!! I love Gold Rush History !!! THANK YOU JEFF AND SARAH
Thank you for the thumbs up! We certainly hope to do more gold rush history, and in fact, the next week should have another one. Thank you, Karen!
Loved the intro/outro music. Thank you for all you do.
I really like that tune as well. I’m glad I picked it because you are not the only one who said that you liked it. Thank you so much for the comment.
Hello Jeff and others interested in this bit of history. I grew up in Shaws Flat and my father's family settled there in the 1850s. At the start of your video the white fence on the right is at the end of my father's house -- he built the fence. My grandparents' house is the one at the intersection, just past the fence on the right; gray now, but yellow for decades. My great-great grandparents came over from the Azores and settled in Shaws Flat on their two-acre (approximately) farm. My great grandfather, Antone Freitas, and other farmers in Shaws Flat, most of whom were Italian immigrants, used to take turns hauling their produce over the hill -- that is, over the Sierras at Sonora Pass, nearly 10,000 feet elevation -- to Bodie.
The Mississippi House stood all through my childhood (born 1952). So did the one room schoolhouse, which was on the hill across from the cemetery. It was used in filming Little House on the Prairie. People looted it for years and a plan to save it fell through.
My father died in 2011. He'd been a trustee of the cemetery and he kept it neat, trimmed shrubs and removed fallen branches, etc. Since his death it looks as if no one is taking care of it. y father and two friends were the ones who brought back and preserved the old miner's bell, which had been removed to a school district office after the "new" school building was sold. I wrote an article about the bell in the Tuolumne County historical periodical, Golden Roots. (more in next post) Shirley
Jeff your so right the life span was really short. And Shawshank Cemetery was great. Thank you for taking us along 💯👊👍
Absolutely love everything about this video! Even the Old timey music 😊🙏
Thank you very much. I try to match the music with the feel of the video, and I felt that that music was especially poignant
Great video. Love the peace felt in this old cemetery. 🌳🕊️ You & Sarah are the best. 🙋
Wow! Thanks, Janet! Lord knows the world could use some peace!
Always appreciate your videos,thank you.
Thank you so very much, Art.
A beautiful forest of peace and quiet no traffic noise, Thanks for sharing Jeff always a great one
Everybody should get away occasionally to a place like this for a little peace and quiet and reflection. Thank you so much for watching this one.
Love the towns history. Thank you!
Your narration in the graveyard, I found it to be very thoughtful and compelling. Enjoyed the video very much.
Another fascinating episode, thanks! My great great grandfather emigrated from Germany some time between 1850-1855 and had a mining claim at Big Oak Flat. He managed to extract a little gold from the vein on his claim before it took a turn onto another claim, at which time he moved to San Francisco and worked driving a 20 horse freight wagon from San Francisco to the Sierra mines.
Really enjoy your content. Much love from Aberdeen Scotland.
Thank you so much for your truly wonderful comment. We feel the love from Scotland and we’re returning it from California and the great old United States!❤️
Hi ..... it is Sunday morning and time for another well researched vlog. Now that I have watched this educational vlog once, I will make some special coffee and watch again. Thank you for this vlog!!!!!!!
Great content! Keep at it!
Thanks Jeff. History is so interesting.
Great one sir! Fairly new to channel but now addicted. Thanks for being my “crack”. 😂. Slainte
Oh my goodness! Now we are history crack peddlers! Ha ha ha! I guess that’s a good thing! Thank you so much for being addicted to History Hunters!
@@jbenziggy 😂
Loved todays history lesson. Thanks Jeff ❤️Jodie 🇦🇺
Hello Jeff, Happy🌞 Day! Thanks for sharing this story on Shaw's Flat and it's History. Hope you have a wonderful day.
Love all your videos and hearing about the history of settling in the West. So much is lost. I really like seeing back in time. Thanks
Such a beautiful and peaceful cemetery! So sad that so many died young before they could experience a long life. Those markers have been around for a very long time. Wonder what those people would think of our world today? Jeff, thank you for another wonderful video!
It was a very pleasant experience and the cemetery this month. It wasn’t such a nice place in December when I visited. I always like the mountains in the spring and summer. Thanks for your nice comment, Cherie. I often wonder what people would think if they rose out of the grave and saw something as common as a modern day car. Imagine their bewilderment at a cell phone! lol.
When I was a kid in the 1970s, the Mississippi house was still a store, open for business; there was I recall an old glass top fuel pump outside! I went to the Shaws Flat school first and second grade(then to Columbia elementary).
East of the cemetery there was a pasture with a small building/ shed : that is where we filmed the episode of little house on the Prarie that I and some other Columbia students were extras on. Episode number(?) ; well. It was a dream sequence wherein ' charles' and 'caroline' 'met' as kids! That was 1978; Sorell Booke played the teacher( he was boss hogg in dukes of Hazzard later)
I always thought that under the cemetery hill would be a bunch of gold! Same in Columbia under the catholic church on the hill!
Love the history you provide of all the area's around modesto
Thank you! I appreciate your time viewing!
Always enjoy your Chanel Jeff. Tell Sarah we miss her tagging along! 💕👍🏻
I hate to see things torn down.Makes me sad. Thanks for the lesson. Take care.
Thank you for my weekly HH "fix"!!! Another gr8 vid Jeff! Thanks for all you and Sarah do!
Sweet! Thanks, Chris! We don't want any of the fans of HH to starve for the week! LOL
We hope 🙏 our grave last that long thanks 😊 Jeff
Awesome job, Jeff!!! Love all your videos. You put so much time, travel, cost, effort and research into each history video.
Lots of folks like me who love your visits!---Somber thoughts. Beautifully expressed.
Cemetery visits always get me thinking about my own mortality, as I expressed in this video. But that also inspires or should inspire everyone to live every day to the fullest as a gift from God above. Thank you so much for watching my video this morning.
@@jbenziggy As a nurse, I've seen the journeys many people take. I retired as a Hospice nurse on Easter Sunday, & frequently felt my own journey along with our patients & their families.
Another very interesting video. Excellent video and audio quality. Thanks Jeff.
Thank you for the information you share. It is nice to know the history of these places. Places many of us will never see.
Another good episode sir !!
Quite amazing thanks Jeff for another amazing episode. I really look forward to Sundays and to see what you’re up 👍😀
Great video. Always enjoy local history, esp. Gold Rush era. Very nice little cemetary, very peaceful.
Thank you for sharing History with us all 😊
History of this such just fascinates me Jeff. I'm sure in all the communications I've had with you I've not said the simple words of thank you. Thanks for the incredible effort you put forth, the history is just amazing. Well..... Like I always tell you thanks for taking us on the adventure.
Growing up in Tuolumne County, I wasn't aware there was a cemetery in Shaws Flat. Next time I'm up that way, I'll try to check it out. Thanks for another excellent video.
Thank you for bringing us along. Very educational
Thank you for all the history you show us in Tuolumne County. Very interesting!
Our pleasure! Thanks for enjoying this!
Love the old cemeteries! We just walked one in Russellville, Kentucky yesterday and found one where the gentleman had been born in 1776! Thanks so much for the great content Jeff (and walk down memory lane). Your biggest Tennessee (formerly California) fans!!! (Giles County TN is a great place! We’ve gone down there several times! Now I need to go read about Thomas Gilman!
At 15:35
I have recently learned how right that that concept is. Hug you loved ones every time you get the chance. Do someone a good deed while you can.
Another fabulous video, Jeff...had me intently watching this morning .
Great to hear my friend in New York, Ralph. I’ve been watching some of your workout videos and I believe it’s inspiring me to do more but I always find that I’m very sore after a workout. Do you have a tip to help me prevent that?
@@jbenziggyyes, there are many tips to avoid excess soreness. One is to be sure you're hydrated, while another is to be sure to include a stretching regiment upon completion of a strenuous workout. Feel free to contact me anytime to speak fitness...I'm always around.
Great video. I totally agree with your comment at the end of this video. Yes, we need to teach our children about our history because, as you said, when people do not learn about it they do indeed make the same mistakes that they could have learned about. That really is a very old cemetery there in Shaw's Flat. I wonder why the current residents of Shaw's Flat don't spend some time every year cleaning up the vegetation around the headstones and even do some major cleaning on some of those cruddy looking ones. Thanks Jeff and see ya next week! Howdy from Texas!!
Totally agree, Jeff. Thank you for all you guys do.
Thank you, Lynne!
Thanks for sharing.... always enjoy your cemetery tours.. thank u
thanks for this interesting story. I have passed through Sonora many times, but have never hear about Shaw's Flat. Must come up and visit this cemetery
Happy Sunday! Another fun and informative episode!
Glad that you enjoyed it all the way up there in Wyoming. Thank you so much my friend.
I appreciate the research you put into each location. Enjoy your videos.
Just got around to watching this video and always very interesting. I spent this past weekend with my brother and his wife in the gold rush town Columbia. They took part in the Columbia Diggins Tent Town 1852. A lot of people attended the event. We stayed in the City Hotel that was built in 1856. It was a fun weekend.
Another great video. Thanks Jeff 😊❤
I love your channel, thank you.
Thank you very much. It’s a joy to hear that you love this channel.
Jeff, I agree with you, not just children, but adults need to not only learn history, but desern
No kidding! Our populace is so ignorant these days.
Very beautiful and peaceful cemetery with a lot of Maine residents, to be sure.
Great video Jeff as always , lovely countryside and great history
Awesome to hear, Mark. Thank you so very much for watching another episode of History Hunters!
Hi Jeff and Sarah thank you for another great video looking forward to seeing the next video love and blessings Larry June and Laurie
Thanks for another great tour.