Site of California Historical Marker #427, Bloody Island

Back in March 2020 I published a post (Written in Stones) in which I mentioned that I would love to travel around the state photographing California Historical Markers. I’ve definitely shot quite a number of them over the years, but I’m still not able to make this a full-time project. When I recently came across a book titled California Historical Landmarks in a used bookstore, I knew I had to have it! Published by California State Parks and the Office of Historic Preservation in 1996, it lists every marker in the state, organized by county. After learning there is currently a total of seven state markers in Lake County, I decided to track them down during my recent trip to Clear Lake. I had previously photographed #427, near Upper Lake, in 2020, but there were at least three others for me to seek out. I should note that there are also quite a few private historical markers in Lake County (like the ones included in this list), and I’ve love to check them out as well.

Old Lake County Courthouse, #897, Lakeport (2019)

Constructed in 1870-71 and one of the few buildings in the area to survive the 1906 earthquake. It served as the seat of government up until 1968 and now houses the county museum. I’ve visited twice: in April 2007 and again in May 2019. Unfortunately, I have no photos of the plaque — so I guess I’ll have to return for a third time!

I stopped briefly in Lower Lake in March 2022 on my way home from Nice

Lower Lake Stone Jail, #429 — in use from 1873 until 1883

Just off the highway, near Kelsey Creek, nothing left of the original structure

View north from Marker #426

Sulphur Bank Mine (no marker)

Marker #428, the Sulphur Bank Mine, is currently nowhere to be found although I did manage to dig up a 1957 photo of it online. Quoting from the book:

This sulphur mine also became one of the most noted quicksilver producers in the world. First worked for sulphur in 1865, in four years it produced a total of 2,000,000 pounds; reopened and developed for quicksilver in 1873, it is credited with total output of 92,400 flasks, and was an important producer in World Wars 1 and 2.

Marker rock at intersection of Highway 20 and Sulphur Bank Road near Clearlake Oaks

View north from Sulphur Bank Road; note man-made osprey nest atop the pole (center)

Five miles north of Middletown on Highway 29, Marker #450 is located in or near the gated community of Hidden Valley Lake. The GPS coordinates actually point to a spot within the gates, inaccessible to the public, but the marker sits outside the gates and next to the highway.

A handful of miles further south, I found Marker #467 beside the highway, where I was able to park safely and have a bite of lunch. It was, however, very difficult for me to picture where the historic road actually used to be!

Standing beside the marker, looking south

And as a bonus, I’m including a California Historical Marker from Mendocino County: #926, the Sun House in Ukiah.

Standing in the Sun Garden; rear of marker is visible to the left of the bell