{"id":189870,"date":"2025-03-29T20:50:31","date_gmt":"2025-03-30T03:50:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/?p=189870"},"modified":"2025-03-29T20:50:54","modified_gmt":"2025-03-30T03:50:54","slug":"road-trip-discover-historic-mokelumne-hill","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/?p=189870","title":{"rendered":"Road Trip! Discover Historic Mokelumne Hill ~ CVB Feature!"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Mokelumne Hill, CA…Nestled along Historic Hwy. 49 on the northern edge of Calaveras County you\u2019ll find charming and historic Mokelumne Hill<\/a>\u2014an entire town that is designated as a California Historical Landmark. A trip to Mokelumne Hill (or \u201cMoke Hill as locals call it) isn\u2019t just for the history lovers out there because this authentic Gold Country town also offers a perfect retreat for anyone who is looking to escape the grind.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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The name Mokel-umne comes from the Yokut Indians of the Central Valley, referring to the \u201cpeople of the Mokel.\u201d\u00a0 The discovery of gold in 1848 led to the subsequent Gold Rush in California in 1849, bringing those hoping to strike it rich from around the globe.\u00a0 Mokelumne Hill soon became the main trading center for the area, and eventually Calaveras\u2019 county seat until 1866.\u00a0 Let\u2019s take a peek at all of the \u201cgems\u201d that can be discovered here\u2026<\/p>\n

HOTEL LEGER<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Historic Hotel Leger<\/a>\u00a0is one of the oldest inns in the state of California with 13 historic rooms, a saloon that entertained notorious folks such as Black Bart, and an elegantly rustic restaurant offering a full service menu including gluten-free and vegan options. Frenchman George Leger became a partner in the hotel called Hotel de France back in 1851 and ran the successful lodging until his death in 1879.\u00a0 Mokelumne Hill suffered devastating fires in 1854, 1865, and 1874 causing the hotel to be rebuilt at least three times.<\/p>\n

In October 2024, the Hotel Leger underwent quite a few renovations and updates to include many modern day comforts while keeping its historic, Gold Rush charm.\u00a0 One thing that may not change however is that Mr. Leger might still be spotted wandering his hotel, checking in on his guests from time to time.<\/p>\n

THE MOKELUMNE RIVER<\/p>\n

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Winding 95 miles through Northern California from the Sierra Nevada to Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, the Mokelumne River is a beautiful place to bring a chair, a picnic, your fishing pole or a gold pan, and watch the river ripple by. Plan a summer trip, raft the whitewater, or simply just float down the river.<\/p>\n

Public access to the Mokelumne River is available at the Middle Bar Bridge area at the\u00a0Mokelumne River Whitewater Trail Middle Bar Launch<\/a>\u00a0site on Hwy. 49 just a few miles outside of town off of Electra Road.<\/p>\n

SHUTTER TREE PARK<\/p>\n

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Shutter Tree Park is nestled just at the end of downtown Mokelumne Hill and is the central location for community celebrations or just a lovely day playing outside. The park gets its name from an iron shutter that came from the store of a Chinese store owner named Chung Kee.\u00a0 Due to fire and the dwindling local Chinese population, Kee\u2019s store closed in 1910, however one of the shutters from the store\u00a0 became encased in a group of Chinese Trees of Heaven.\u00a0 After the trees died, the iron shutter became a part of the sculpted art mural now found in the park that looks over where Chung Kee had his store.\u00a0 The art mosaic, lovingly created by local artists shows the history of Mokelumne Hill from the last few hundred years. A portion of the mural includes bits and pieces of broken porcelain bowls and ceramics brought by the Chinese who sought their fortune in this little California town.<\/p>\n

RENEGADE WINERY<\/p>\n

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\nRenegade Winery<\/p>\n

After exploring and walking through town, relax and unwind with live music, good food, and great wine at\u00a0Renegade Winery<\/a>\u00a0where you are sure to find owners Mark and Sue Rueger behind the counter pouring barrel samples and telling stories. Never seen a winery in action? You can\u2019t get more up-close-and personal than you can here\u2026their winemaking facilities are attached to the tasting room and open for touring. Located in the old \u201cUnion House\u201d, Mark and Sue extensively renovated the property on Main Street and cultivated a warm, comfortable, and pet-friendly environment where everyone can, as the sign says, \u201cEnter as Strangers, Leave as Friends\u201d. Open Fridays and Saturdays 12:00 to 7:00 and, most of the time, live music plays to warm up the whole vibe.\u00a0 Sundays they serve delicious breakfast and lunch on the patio from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm!<\/p>\n

POSTERITY CIDERWORKS<\/p>\n

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\nPosterity Ciderworks<\/p>\n

Prepare to be warmly welcomed by the owners of\u00a0Posterity Ciderworks<\/a>\u00a0and tour where the magic happens before tasting small batch alcoholic ciders made with heritage apples, pears, and quinces. Wild, rural, and rare\u201d describes which fruit Brendan (owner, orchardist, and cidermaker) and Kris (owner, operations, and good pie fanatic) use to craft Posterity\u2019s ciders. \u201cOur goal is to give our community a reason to keep these old fruit trees around. In 2020, we began picking apples from local long-forgotten homesteads and passed-down family orchards\u2026Not only did we discover some fantastic cider making apples, but we uncovered stories that we think everyone should hear\u201d. Make sure to include this Moke Hill gem on your next trip to Calaveras. Here\u2019s a great article from the\u00a0San Francisco Chronicle<\/a>\u00a0about Michelin start restaurants now pairing their menu with ciders from Posterity Ciderworks.<\/p>\n

DOWNTOWN SMALL TOWN CHARM<\/p>\n

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\nHotel Leger, Mokelumne Hill<\/p>\n

Stop in at\u00a0Moke Hill Nuts\/Mok-A-Java<\/a>\u00a0for a slew of yummy samples for your tasting pleasure or for a morning cup of coffee. Don\u2019t miss one of the biggest gems you\u2019ll find along Main Street\u2014Petroglyphe Gallery<\/a>\u2014a contemporary art gallery in an unlikely spot that not only features stunning art from a variety of artists, but offers great events throughout the year.\u00a0 Pop into\u00a0For Succ Sake<\/a>, see their wide selection of succulents, house plants and decor, and all kinds of creative, unique items. Don\u2019t miss the downtown Moke Hill events like the truly American and family-friendly July 4th Independence Parade and Celebration as well as the small-town Christmas events held right on main street Moke Hill.\u00a0 Let\u2019s not forget the\u00a0Mokelumne Hill Historical Society<\/a>, which also serves as the library where you can find a new favorite author from among their books for sale on the porch and pay in a depository box by the front door \u2013 an honor-system trust that\u2019s adorable and totally Moke Hill.<\/p>\n

Every\u00a0July 4th Mokelumne Hill<\/a>\u00a0hosts its quintessential small-town-America Independence Day celebration, and Shutter Tree Park provides shade for the children\u2019s games and activities.\u00a0 In September and October, free concerts are held in the park, so bring a low back chair, sit back and relax with the locals to enjoy the onset of fall.<\/p>\n

CHINA GARDENS & GOLD RUSH HISTORY<\/p>\n

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\nIOOF building on left<\/p>\n

History buffs will enjoy the Gold Rush era architecture in Mokelumne Hill along Center Street, the main street of downtown. Photographers will find ample opportunity to get some great Gold Country shots here. Walk along the path to see a seasonal waterfall, garden terrace walls built by the Chinese inhabitants during the Gold Rush, many blooming plants, and a view of the Mokelumne River Canyon.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Mokelumne Hill History Society<\/a>\u00a0owns the 3+ acres that include the historic Chinese Gardens and welcomes visitors to see the terraced stone gardens that date back to the 19th century.\u00a0 While the entire town of Mokelumne Hill is a designated California Historical Landmark, in January of 2023, the Chinese Gardens specifically were nominated for the National Registry of Historic Places.\u00a0 Not only do the gardens hold historic interest, they also hold important archaeological insights into the large Chinese population who helped to establish Mokelumne Hill as the leading and central trading town during the Gold Rush in Calaveras County. From the\u00a0California Department of Parks and Recreation<\/a>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0\u201cSituated on the northeast edge of Mokelumne Hill\u2019s historic Chinatown, the district encompasses the archaeological remains of a commercial market garden operated by the town\u2019s Chinese residents between the 1850s and 1898, a small residence area and the community\u2019s Buddhist Temple. As the only known extant Chinese garden in California, the district represents a unique association with Chinese commercial agriculture and offers potential information on agricultural methods and the lifeways of the gardens\u2019 caretakers\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n

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