San Andreas Historic Landmark: State Records Trace Gold Rush Town and Its Calaveras County Role

SAN ANDREAS, Calaveras County — The history of San Andreas is visible in the landscape along Highway 49, but some of the most revealing details about the community are preserved in California’s official landmark records.

The Office of Historic Preservation’s California Historical Landmark No. 252 identifies San Andreas as a settlement established by Mexican miners in 1848, named after the parish of Saint Andrew. Gold extracted from nearby placer deposits helped establish the town’s early economy during the California Gold Rush.

Why did the county government come here?

According to State Parks, the town survived two major fires, in 1858 and 1863, and became the seat of Calaveras County in 1866. That decision established San Andreas as the center for important county government services, with lasting effects for residents across the foothills.

The landmark plaque’s location is listed at the northwest corner of Highway 49 and Main Street. It is a short starting point for exploring the town’s civic and historical landscape, not an invitation to enter private properties.

History includes crime, commerce and changing communities

The landmark summary also records associations with Joaquin Murieta and stagecoach robber Black Bart, who was tried in San Andreas. These stories are part of the public memory of the Gold Rush, but a short plaque should not be confused with a complete historical investigation into disputed accounts.

The broader Calaveras County landmark directory lists other historic mining, transportation and settlement sites. It is useful for residents who want to distinguish officially recognized locations from unverified internet legends.

How residents can use the records

Use the landmark number and official location to identify the correct site.
Follow references to State Parks and county archives for historical context.
Respect present-day private ownership and access restrictions.
Contribute documented photographs and family histories to local historical institutions rather than making unsupported claims about people or sites.

San Andreas News intends to connect historical places with the community’s present-day civic role. The existence of an official landmark provides a starting point for original local history reporting, while questions about particular buildings or events may require separate archival verification.

Sources: California State Parks Office of Historic Preservation, California Historical Landmark No. 252, and the Calaveras County Historical Landmarks directory.

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