Tuolumne County Historical Society

Tuolumne County Historical Society Our Mission shall be to discover, collect, preserve, and disseminate knowledge about the history of Tuolumne County and the State of California.

The Tuolumne County History Collection is a large volume of historical information consisting of the memories and images of Tuolumne Gold Rush through modern times. Tuolumne County's historical resources are highlighted in this site to encourage you to visit our facilities and to participate in and enjoy our rich history. NOTE: Hours of operation are dependent on volunteer availability.

Who knew? Remember the Maine! Tuolumne County celebrated Independence Day 1898 by honoring the USS Maine battleship that...
09/04/2026

Who knew? Remember the Maine! Tuolumne County celebrated Independence Day 1898 by honoring the USS Maine battleship that sunk in Havana Harbor, Cuba, just prior to the Spanish-American War. Over 260 crew members lost their lives. The parade float was accompanied by a group of schoolchildren dressed as sailors. Following the parade, the ship found a home in the schoolyard at the Sonora Grammar School (far right of the photo). Note: my sincere gratitude to Charlotte Lyon for spotting the “ship” in a prior post. (Photos courtesy of TCM TP393 and TP8097).

Who knew? Kinda cool when you are looking through old Sonora Grammar School photos and find your great-grandmother and h...
09/04/2026

Who knew? Kinda cool when you are looking through old Sonora Grammar School photos and find your great-grandmother and her siblings as youngsters, circa 1898. My great-grandmother Edna Shine, her older sister Lois, and older brothers Elton and Arthur all attended school together. Their home, on Shepherd St. between Church St. and Gold St., was only a short block away immediately down the hill from the grammar school. (Photo courtesy of TCM TP8097).

Who knew? As Sonora grew during the second half of the 1800’s, classroom space at Sonora Grammar School was an ever-pres...
09/04/2026

Who knew? As Sonora grew during the second half of the 1800’s, classroom space at Sonora Grammar School was an ever-present issue. As seen looking east from atop the hill behind the Sonora’s Opera Hall location: A) The original brick schoolhouse, constructed in 1858, quickly reached capacity. B) Supplemental classroom space was found nearby using the second level of a neighboring barn at the corner of Barretta St. and Gold St. C) A second wooden schoolhouse was constructed in 1879 to meet the ever-increasing enrollment. D) A third two-room schoolhouse was constructed in 1890 atop the knoll just north (left) of the original school grounds. It was torn down in 1908 to make room for the new Sonora Dome. (Sources: A History of Sonora Elementary School 1855-1974. Photo, dated 1894, courtesy of TCM TP9178).

Who knew? As the day drew to a close circa 1960, the neon glow of Sonora’s S. Washington St. began to take hold. The Lou...
08/30/2026

Who knew? As the day drew to a close circa 1960, the neon glow of Sonora’s S. Washington St. began to take hold. The Louvre (hidden behind the light pole), the Horseshoe Club, The Sportsman, Wolfe’s Drug Store, The Lasso Coffee Shop to name only a few of downtown Sonora's signature neon signs. Even the storefronts were home the latest product promo like the Chevrolet V-Eight. (Photo courtesy of TCM TP18796).

Who knew? Downtown Sonora had so many cool neon signs! Taken in 1949 from just south of Linoberg St. looking north up Wa...
08/30/2026

Who knew? Downtown Sonora had so many cool neon signs! Taken in 1949 from just south of Linoberg St. looking north up Washington St., the city prepares for its Centennial Celebration July 15th, 16th and 17th. Neon signs were the standard to vie for the all-important consumer’s attention. This Gem Café sign has always been one of my favorites! Yours? (Photo courtesy of TCM TP14918).

Who knew? A shout out to Thad Waterbury for his amazing photographic collection of historic county buildings, available ...
08/29/2026

Who knew? A shout out to Thad Waterbury for his amazing photographic collection of historic county buildings, available for viewing through the Tuolumne County Historical Society. His work brings to light the amazing details and beauty of our historic county architecture, like the simple brick detailing of the cornice on the Serventes building. In my opinion, it is best appreciated on sunny morning stroll along S. Washington St. in downtown Sonora. Great work and thanks Thad! (Photo, dated Jul 18, 1977, courtesy of TCM no 2021.20.796).

Who knew? Two originals. “An icon”, “an institution,” “a pillar in the community,” “a real pioneer, “a good ol’ dude” w...
08/29/2026

Who knew? Two originals. “An icon”, “an institution,” “a pillar in the community,” “a real pioneer, “a good ol’ dude” were all words used to describe Bill Servente. I knew him as my grandfather’s boss and close friend, a true gentleman who would always greet me with a boisterous “Smiley!” whenever I visited my grandfather who ran the deli-market up front in Serventes. The cast iron storefront, the oldest in all of Tuolumne County, still stands. Check out its amazing detail next time your in downtown Sonora. (Photo courtesy of TCM 2024.12.11 and 2024.12.13).

Who knew? In the summer of 1962, I would have been a frequent visitor to Churchill’s Ice Cream, located on the west side...
08/29/2026

Who knew? In the summer of 1962, I would have been a frequent visitor to Churchill’s Ice Cream, located on the west side of S. Washington St. between Linoberg St. and Bradford St. Homemade bread and pies to boot! (Photo courtesy of TCM TP28630).

Who knew? Circa 1900, the view in Sonora looking southeast from the hillside immediately west and north of the recently ...
08/24/2026

Who knew? Circa 1900, the view in Sonora looking southeast from the hillside immediately west and north of the recently completed Sierra Railway Depot (center) and Tuolumne County Hospital. The flat on which the depot was constructed was originally part of the 160-acre McQuade Ranch which included much of the property in southwest section of the city. Within a couple of years, the flat would become home to the sprawling Standard Lumber Company. O-Reilly Auto Parts, the USPS Office, Sonora Trading Post and Sonora Lumber now occupy much of the area where the old barns in the photo originally stood. (Photo courtesy of TCM TP6691).

(Part 2) Who knew? Upon arrival at the Sonora train depot, the official start of 1899 50-Year Pioneer Reunion Celebratio...
08/24/2026

(Part 2) Who knew? Upon arrival at the Sonora train depot, the official start of 1899 50-Year Pioneer Reunion Celebration included “salutes of giant powder fired from the hillsides and music by the Tuolumne Cornet Band.” Miss Carrie Inch (soon to be Mrs. Carrie Segerstrom) composed an ode that was sung by local school children to the arriving pioneer families here to celebrate their joyous return to Tuolumne County. (Program information from Union Democrat, June 17, 1899, and photo courtesy of TCM TP4829).

Address

158 Bradford Street
Sonora, CA
95370

Opening Hours

Tuesday 11am - 4pm
Wednesday 1pm - 4pm
Thursday 11am - 4pm
Friday 11am - 4pm
Saturday 11am - 3pm

Telephone

+12095321317

Website

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