Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park

Welcome to Christmas in Coloma 2020 style! The Monroe House was built in 1923 by Pearly Monroe and used primarily as a rental. Pearly was the grandson of Nancy and Peter Gooch, who were brought to California in 1849 as slaves. They were forced to leave behind their 3-year-old son Andrew with the Monroe family. Nancy and Peter were freed soon after California joined the Union as a free state.They worked hard and saved and were able to locate and bring Andrew, now grown, and his family to California in 1870. The Gooch/Monroe family continued to purchase property in the area as residents left and had a large orchard at the north end of town.

Welcome to our virtual holiday house tour. Coloma Schoolhouse By 1855 a school has been established in Coloma. In 1858 school was held on the second floor of the vacant courthouse. The courthouse building burned down in 1919, and school resumed in the IOOF hall across the street until this building, which was the Slatington Schoolhouse in Kelsey, was purchased for $200. It was carefully disassembled and moved by horse drawn wagon to Coloma, where it was reassembled. Classes began in this building in 1920 and continued until 1957 when the Gold Trail Union School District was formed.

It's Christmas in Coloma weekend. Since we can't meet in person, join us throughout the weekend for virtual tours of our historic holiday houses. The Noteware-Thomas House was built in 1856 by Chauncey Noteware, who was the El Dorado County recorder. The Noteware's moved to Placerville in 1857 when the county seat moved to that city. In 1870 John Price and his family bought the house. Price was the Coloma postmaster and passed away in 1902 from blood poisoning. HIs daughter Cora assumed the position of postmaster. She later married Fred Thomas and the couple continued to live in the house. Cora taught music and Fred had an extensive garden of vegetables, grapes, apple trees, pomegranates and other fruit. Some of the old fruit trees can still be found near the house. Much of the furniture in the house belonged to Cora and Fred Thomas.

The mornings have been a bit frosty lately, but the days are beautiful. The outdoor areas of the park, including this stamp mill and ore cart, are open and waiting to be explored!