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| Landmark #815 | El Dorado County | Visited: April 5, 2015 | Plaque? YES! 🙂 |
| What is it? | A plaque marking the first Japanese agricultural efforts in California! |
| What makes it historical? | THE GUIDE SAYS: The agricultural settlement of pioneer Japanese immigrants who arrived at Gold Hill on June 8, 1869—the only tea and silk farm established in California had a promising outlook but failed tragically in less than two years. This was the initial Japanese-influenced agricultural attempt in California.
OTHER TIDBITS: This farm was settled by 22 samurai and their families escaping from the Boshin War, a civil war in Japan sparked by Commodore Matthew Perry’s “opening” of Japan to western trade! Many people did not approve of Shogun Tokugawa’s acceptance of the foreigners and preferred having an emperor instead, so from January 28, 1868 to November 6, 1869, the two sides did battle! Ultimately, the shogun was defeated and retreated to his capital city of Edo. Imperial forces pursued and defeated him there, renaming the city Tokyo, which means “Eastern Capital!” This landmark is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places! |
| How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
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| Where is this place? | LISTED DIRECTIONS: Gold Trails Elementary School 889 Cold Springs Rd Gold Hill, CA 95667 ANNOTATIONS: 941 Cold Springs Rd. From Los Angeles: ~428mi (689km) — 7.2hrs |
| When should I go? | The plaque is visible pretty much any time. Just remember that this is a school, so be respectful of the students and faculty! You can also view the farm calendar of events to see when they’re giving tours! |