Guide to the Otheto Weston Gold Country Collection M0029
Processed by Special Collections staff; machine-readable finding aid created by Patricia White
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
1997 ; revised 2022-2023
Green Library
557 Escondido Mall
Stanford 94305-6064
specialcollections@stanford.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
Title: Otheto Weston Gold Country Collection
source:
Weston, Otheto, 1895-1990
Identifier/Call Number: M0029
Identifier/Call Number: 185
Physical Description:
3 Linear Feet
(6 boxes)
Date (inclusive): circa 1860-1944
Conditions Governing Access
Open for research. Note that material must be requested at least 36 hours in advance of intended use.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Evelyn "Otheto" Weston, 1947.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item] Weston Gold Country Collection, M0029, Dept. of Special Collections, Stanford Libraries, Stanford,
Calif.
Related Materials
Scope and Contents
Otheto Weston was an author and historian of the Gold Rush era in Eastern California. Her book
Mother Lode Album was published in 1948 by Stanford University Press. This collection contains typescripts of stories and news clippings (1850-1872),
photographs of people and buildings in the Gold country, and draft material for her book.
Conditions Governing Use
While Special Collections is the owner of the physical and digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not
an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission
or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns. Some materials
are believed to be in the public domain. There are no restrictions on use of public domain materials.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
California -- History -- 1850-1950
Folklore -- California
Mines and mineral resources -- California
Columbia (Calif.)
Tuolumne County (Calif.)
Chinese Americans -- California.
California -- History -- Photographs
Sonora (Calif.)
Weston, Otheto, 1895-1990
Binders of historical accounts 114905
circa 1933-1943
Box 1, folder 1-4
News from the Mines
1850-1863
Scope and Contents
Transcriptions of newspaper articles from the
Stockton Times, Stockton Journal, San Joaquin Republican, Calaveras Chronicle, Columbia Gazette, Columbia Clipper, Sonora
Herald, Daily Alta California, Placer Herald, San Francisco Daily Herald, San Francisco Evening Bulletin, Sacramento Daily
Union, Sonora Union Democrat, San Andreas Independent,
, and
Mariposa Gazette. Some later accounts not attributed to newspapers are scattered among the later articles.
Box 1, folder 5-6
Folk Lore
Scope and Contents
Various mostly uncredited accounts, some transcribed from newspaper articles, pamphlets, radio scripts, court records, and
other sources.
Original Photographs 114883
circa 1860-1899
Box 2, folder 1
A Miner's Cabin in the Mountains 114903
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Possibly from Pacific Slope collection.
Box 2, folder 1
Stockton Gravel Company Mine
Box 2, folder 1
Butzbach, Tinsmith and Albert Caldwell, 14 Team Muleskinner (Sears, Sonora cabinet card)
Box 2, folder 2
Dondero Gold Mining Claim at Knickerbocker Flat - Hydraulic Mining, Yankee Hill 114901
1895
Scope and Contents
Miners indentified by name on reverse. Mounted print is damaged.
Box 2, folder 2
Present Pioneer Saloon About 1860, Corner of Main & Jackson Streets, Columbia
Scope and Contents
Four men identified on reverse, including Mike Rehm, who operated the saloon off and on beginning in 1857.
Box 2, folder 2
Stage Drivers Retreat, Corner of Main & Fulton Streets, Columbia. About 1899 When Bradys Owned. Jack Douglas Bar in the 70s
[crossed out]
circa 1902
Box 2, folder 2
One-Eyed Manuel and China Mary's Tamale House on Broadway & State Streets, Columbia
About 1860
Scope and Contents
"Brick building Sewell Knapp building where he kept explosives." Other handwriting illegible. Mounted print is damaged.
Box 2, folder 2
Pat Burke Who Ran Burke's Blacksmith Shop and Wheelwright Shop
Scope and Contents
With group of other men, some identified. John H. Shine & Co. Wells Fargo stage coach visible.
Box 2, folder 4
Big Tree Saloon About 185- (Wells Portrait-Landscape Photographer, Sonora, California)
circa 1880s
Scope and Contents
Nineteen people posing in front of saloon, many identified on reverse including Frank Vassallo, proprietor
Box 2, folder 3
Columbia School (Geo. D. Stewart, Photographer, Sacramento) 114899
Scope and Contents
"A Group of Kids That Wanted to be Educated."
Box 2, folder 3
Frank Vassallo's Saloon, Dr. W. Parsons Drug Store, Columbia
1860
Scope and Contents
Seven men including Vassalo and others identified on reverse. Big Tree Saloon signs in window
Box 2, folder 3
Schoolhouse, Tuttletown (Wiedner, San Francisco)
Box 2, folder 3
Tuttletown (Wiedner, San Francisco)
Scope and Contents
"Swearer's Store and Gross Hotel. Mary Gross ran the hotel all her life. Matt Brady of Columbia was the bartender there during
the construction of the Angels Camp branch of the Sierra Railroad."
Box 2, folder 3
Tuttletown Schoolhouse (Weidner 1639 Fillmore Street San Francisco)
Scope and Contents
Later photograph of school, unmounted print.
Box 2, folder 4
[Columbia Band] Tom with Snare Drum, [illegible] Hotel 114897
Late 1870s
Box 2, folder 4
Stage Drivers Retreat When Seibert Owned
About 1873
Box 2, folder 4
Daveluy's Saloon, Next Door to MacKibbon's Restaurant, Sonora
About 1895
Scope and Contents
Men partially identified, including F.J. Daveluy and bartender Matt Brady.
Box 2, folder 4
Ben Rube's Store - Sonora
1895?
Scope and Contents
"Went to S.F. and died there."
Box 2, folder 4
St. James Episcopal Church, Sonora, From the Union Democrat (Harrington, Sonora)
Box 2, folder 5
Priest's Hotel at Top of Present Priest's Grade on Big Oak Flat Road into Yosemite - Once a Gay Stopping Place [Thos. W. Wells,
Sonora]
114895
About 1880s
Box 2, folder 5
Col [i.e. Columbia?] Band in Yosemite
Early 1870s
Scope and Contents
With Mrs Barnett & children. "Barnett ran Big Trees Hotel at Big Tree Grove, Calaveras County." Band members are identified
as well
Box 2, folder 5
[brass band in street] Broadway Hotel, Broadway Property of Otheto Weston, Columbia, California
Scope and Contents
14 members identified on reverse.
Box 2, folder 5
Columbia & San Andreas Band at Murphy's July 4th, 1885 By Murphy's Band
Scope and Contents
J.G. Fallon Drum Major. To John Nash By C.M. Parsons.
Box 2, folder 5
Mattie Brady's 2nd Grocery Store, Columbia, About 1897
Scope and Contents
John Pimentel, Miner, Mattie Brady, Merchant, and His 6th Son Now, EJ Brady.
Box 2, folder 5
Main Street Columbia About 1880. 49er With Book In His Hand Louis Forsterling
Scope and Contents
Two other men identified on reverse.
Box 2, folder 6
Louis Forsterling - 49er, Gold Assayer by Trade - Died About 1900 ... on Pacific Street West of Columbia - Back of Aunt Sally's,
Columbia (B.F. Steven's Photo Gallery)
114893
Box 2, folder 6
Fred Dambacher [crossed out] Blacksmith - Pat Burke, Backsmith. Sonora, 187-
Scope and Contents
Signs for Dambacher, Blacksmith and Ralph, Wheelwright
Box 2, folder 6
IOOF [building], Columbia About 1860. Orig. Had Canopy
Scope and Contents
Independent Order of Odd Fellows hall
Box 2, folder 6
Columbia Band, Taken In Front of Old Broadway Hotel
Scope and Contents
Band members identified on front
Box 2, folder 6
Old School House On the Hill, Recent Photo Showing ... Barn Below. Columbia
Box 2, folder 7
Wilzinski's Store, Sonora 114891
1893
Box 2, folder 7
Dondero's Claim, Yankee Hill
Box 2, folder 7
Columbia [two men in front of cigar store]
Box 2, folder 7
Columbia Print Shop
Scope and Contents
"Check with Ezra Danes 1857 Columbia Map."
Box 2, folder 8
The Schoell ... Slaughterhouse (William Wax, Universal Art Studio) 114889
Scope and Contents
Illegible identifications in pencil.
Box 2, folder 8
Main & Fulton Streets - Columbia About 1892 ... Wells Fargo, American Hotel and Tibbett's Drug Store
Scope and Contents
Four people identified on reverse
Box 2, folder 8
Relief Dam Built By Union Construction Co. (William Wax, Universal Art Gallery)
Scope and Contents
"Pat Calhoun Bot[?] Out the Tuolumne Water Co., 60 Miles Around[?] The Right On the Middle Fork of the Stanislaus River."
Box 2, folder 8
[portrait of woman] Compliments of Mrs. L. Coffey, Sonora (A.J. Beals New York Art Gallery, Virginia City, Nevada)
Box 2, folder 9
Sonora [man in front of barn with "Pioneer Livery Stable, John Pereira, Prop." sign] 114887
1870s
Box 2, folder 9
Sonora [parade with marching brass band] (Wells, Sonora cabinet card)
Late 1870s
Scope and Contents
Card is damaged.
Box 2, folder 9
[group of men in front of hotel] Sonora?
Scope and Contents
"Mary E. Peabody, City Hotel" in pencil on reverse
Box 2, folder 9
Chas. Sleeper Residence, Upper Broadway, Corner of Silver & Broadway, Columbia, California
Box 2, folder 9
Columbia [Three women and girl next to horse & carriage in front of house]
Scope and Contents
"They Just Came to Make a Visit to Some Friends on Upper Jackson Street, Columbia ... Looks Like the Old Bell Home"
Box 2, folder 10
Brady Residence, Broadway Street, Columbia, California. Fred Brown, Mrs. M.A. Brady, Daughter, Youngest Son 114885
Box 2, folder 10
Columbia, California Prior to 1880
Box 2, folder 10
Columbia, California [two photos in paper case - one depicts a large group near a St. Anne's Catholic Church, the other a
close up of a Meneely's Rotary Yoke bell]
circa 1920s
Box 2, folder 11
Mary Teresa Brady, Wife of Pat Brady
Scope and Contents
"Grandma Brady About 18__, Mary Teresa Brady, taken [i.e. painted?] in Ireland, her husband was Dr. Pat Brady. She shocked
all relatives by smiling - some wouldn't hang picture on wall for its disgraceful display of frivolity."
20th century photographs by Weston and others 114767
circa 1934-1944
Box 3, folder 12
[Colonel Thorne's Store, Quartzburg] 114879
Box 3, folder 13
Woman posing next to oven or fireplace (6) 114877
Box 3, folder 14
Wooden buildings - barn and small building with woman posing (11) 114875
Box 3, folder 15
Wooden buildings in town (13) 114873
Box 3, folder 16
Catholic church & post office, Chinese Camp 114871
1942
Box 3, folder 17
Rocco Hotel, Algerine 114869
1933
Box 3, folder 18
Sloniker's Store, Georgetown 114867
1937
Box 3, folder 19
Brick storefront and metal gate in front of residence (20) 114865
Box 3, folder 20
Mississippi House & Miner's Bell, Shaw's Flat 114863
1937
Box 3, folder 21
Springfield [no photo - index card only] 114861
Box 3, folder 22
Otheto, Squabbletown 114859
1934
Box 3, folder 23
Martinez (no photo - index card only) 114857
Box 3, folder 24-30
Columbia 114855
1934-1942
Box 3, folder 31
Tuttletown (no photo - index card only) 114841
Box 3, folder 32
Italian Bar (no photo - index card only) 114839
Box 3, folder 33
Pioneer Cabin and French Store, French Camp 114837
1940
Box 3, folder 34
Covered Bridge and Pardee Trading Post, O'Byrne's Ferry 114835
1938
Box 3, folder 35
Iron Jail and Old Firehouse Knight's Ferry 114833
1938
Box 3, folder 36
Armory, Copperopolis 114831
1938
Box 3, folder 37
Solari's Trading Post, Melones 114829
1940
Box 3, folder 38
Romaggi Adobe, Albany Flat 114827
1938
Box 3, folder 39
Angel's Camp (no photo - index card only) 114825
Box 3, folder 40
French Store and Old Valacito Hotel, Vallecito 114823
1942-1943
Box 3, folder 41
Murphy's Camp 114821
1937
Box 3, folder 42
San Andreas 114819
1937-1944
Box 3, folder 43
Jenny Lind, Campo Seco (no photos - index cards only) 114817
Box 3, folder 44
Mokelumne Hill 114815
1937-1944
Box 4, folder 47
Butte Store, Butte City 114809
1943
Box 4, folder 50
Old China Store, Fiddletown 114803
1940
Box 4, folder 51
El Dorado 114801
1937-1940
Box 4, folder 53
Bailey House, Pilot Hill 114797
1938
undated
Box 4, folder 54
Georgetown 114795
1937-1942
Box 4, folder 56
Forest Home Inn, Forest Home 114791
1944
Box 4, folder 57
Dutch Flat, Gold Run 114789
1937
Box 4, folder 58
Old Assay Office, Nevada City 114787
1937
Box 4, folder 59
Covered Bridge, South Fork Yuba 114785
1941
Box 4, folder 60
North San Juan 114783
1941
Box 4, folder 62
Unidentified buildings, etc. 114779
Box 4, folder 63
Carson City, Nevada 114777
1938
Box 4, folder 64
Coulterville Hotel, Coulterville 114775
1945
Box 4, folder 65
Photos with captions & text - probable draft version of "Mother Lode Album" 114773
Scope and Contents
Jack-Ass Hill, Springfield, Columbia, Martinez, Italian Bar, Tuttletown, Bear Valley, Quartzburg, Jamestown, Sonora
Box 4, folder 66
Papeete pamphlet (Columbia Fire Department) 114771
Box 4, folder 67
Captions and other text - probable draft version of "Mother Lode Album" 114769
Box 6
Louis Forsterling Columbia Fire Department membership certificate October 1, 1878