Calaveras County Museum and Historical Society — Attraction in San Andreas

The Calaveras County Historical Society is housed in the Old Calaveras County Courthouse. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.

The old courthouse building was erected in 1867 and was in use until 1966, when a new Government Center was erected on the east edge of town.

Bricks were made locally, as was the lime for mortar. Typical of the period and region, the brick building had iron doors and shutters on all exterior openings, affording protection against fire, vandalism and burglary. The NRHP nomination does not mention an architectural style, but to my eye, the building appears to be influenced by the Richardsonian Romanesque style.

The old building contained the jail, court room and sheriff's office. Executions were held in the jail yard, the last on August 31st, 1888.

Charles Bolton, the well known Black Bart, stage coach highwayman, was held here during his trial. He was convicted and sent to San Quentin for six years; served 4 years, 2 months,...

Tucked away in San Andreas, CA is this gem of a museum. At the time, admission was $5 but there's nothing stopping you from just donating to them more. While I knew of some of the gold rush and ranching history of the area, this museum takes steps to tell the narratives from the people who lived here before the gold rush, during mining activities, and into the present of today. Some other interesting things to note are of bandits and law enforcement, the last hanging before San Quentin opened, and the history of Sherrifs. The cells and prison yard are particularly of note. Limited research is also available on subjects, and I am grateful and thankful for the resources at their disposal...

The gem of the Calaveras County Museum is the exhibit of the only standing China House from the Gold Rush era, which was used first as a County Courthouse at Double Springs, then a post office. The County ordered 3 China Houses from Canton, China, during the Gold Rush; each house was prefab and shipped in over 400 pieces to be assembled largely with interlocking pieces without nails; only the roofing required nails.

This exhibit is on the second floor of the Museum. Unfortunately the elevator was broken and the China House wasn't...