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| Landmark #552 | Marin County | Visited: February 19, 2012 | Plaque? YES! 🙂 |
| What is it? | A plaque and the foundations of the first paper mill on the Pacific Coast! |
| What makes it historical? | THE GUIDE SAYS: The first paper mill on the Pacific Coast was built here in November 1856 by Samuel Penfield Taylor. Using water power and later steam, it was replaced in 1884 by a larger steam-powered mill nearby. This mill, closed by the depression of 1893, was destroyed by fire in 1915.
OTHER TIDBITS: Mr. Taylor came west from New York during the Gold Rush! When he found gold, he used his new wealth to start his paper mill! He used scrap paper and rags that he acquired from San Francisco to create newsprint and the world’s first square-bottomed paper bags! He also built Camp Taylor, one of the first places in the USA that promoted camping for recreation! Mr. Taylor also arranged for the construction of the first fish ladder on the Pacific Coast, so that spawning fish could get around his paper mill! |
| How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
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| Where is this place? | LISTED DIRECTIONS: 1.3 mi inside Samuel P. Taylor State Park 18 mi W of Hwy 101 off Sir Francis Drake Blvd County Hwy A104 (P.M. 171) Lagunitas, CA 94938 ANNOTATIONS: 8889 Sir Francis Drake Blvd From Los Angeles: ~406mi (654km) — 6.8hrs |
| When should I go? | The park is open every day from 8:00 AM until sunset! |
