Gribblenation

Murphys is one of the oldest communities in Calaveras County and historically tied to the history of the Big Trees Road to Ebbetts Pass.  When California State Route 4 was commissioned in 1934 it followed the existing Alpine State Highway corridor through the community via Main Street and Big Trees Road.  Murphys would be bypassed in 1961 when the current highway alignment east of downtown was constructed.  The same project corridor would also bypass nearby Douglas Flat and Vallecito.   The 1948 United States Geological Survey map of Columbia displays California State Route 4 passing through Murphys in detail.  The highway corridor is shown passing through via Main Street and Big Trees Road.   Part 1; the history of California State Route 4 in Murphys The history of Vallecito and Murphys are strongly tied together.  Both were founded by John and Daniel Murphy during the California Gold Rush.  What became Vallecito was plotted first as Mu...

Marshes Flat Road is named after Marsh's Flat and is one of the oldest highway corridors in Tuolumne County. This corridor originally connected Don Pedro Bar at the Tuolumne River to the original Priest Grade (now Old Priest Grade) at Moccasin Creek. The highway reportedly had a known hideout of Joaquin Murietta and provided access to the early mining community of Indian Bar. The final descent on Marshes Flat Road to California State Route 49 is down the Kelley Grade. The Kelley Grade loses approximately 900 feet of elevation in one large three-quarter mile drop which requires usage of lower gears. Marshes Flat Road is 8.4 miles long and is almost entirely comprised of single-lane roadway. Part 1; the history of Marshes Flat Road and the Kelley Grade Marshes Flat Road and the Kelley Grade comprise one of the oldest highway corridors in Tuolumne County.  The roadway was constructed around 1850 is named after Marsh's Flat which is located southeast of Moccasin Peak.  The cor...