Murphys Grade Road is an approximately 6.4-mile highway which connects the community of Murphys to the Angels Camp neighborhood of Altaville. The Murphys Grade was commissioned in 1865 by the Murphys and Altaville Turnpike Company. Unlike many Gold Rush era franchise toll roads, the Murphys Grade was profitable as it followed a favorable grade through Angels Creek Canyon. The corridor was made a Calaveras County public highway in 1911 and would be modernized in 1943.
Part 1; the history of Murphys Grade Road
Note: much of the historical context for this blog was Calaveras History webpage about transportation between Angels Camp and Murphys.
During the early California Gold Rush travel between Angels Camp and Murphys was far from direct. The primary highway into Murphys was located on the Hawkeye-to-Murphys Road several miles north of Altaville. The Hawkeye-to-Murphys Road had been established in 1854. This corridor crossed over Dogtown Road and merged into what is now French Gulch Road approaching Murphys.
For historical context the Hawkeye-to-Murphys Road can be seen originating from Hawkeye on the 1889 United States Geological Survey map of Jackson. The highway can be seen passing through Dogtown towards what is now French Gulch Road via San Domingo Creek.
During 1865 the Murphys and Altaville Turnpike Company formed with the purpose of constructing a direct toll road from Altaville to Murhpys. The planned routing for the then new highway was to follow favorable grades in Angels Creek Canyon which bypassed much of the Hawkeye-to-Murphys Road. The Turnpike Pike company began to sell stock and published the following declaration in the September 15, 1865, Copperopolis Courier:
"To Whom It May Concern:
We, the undersigned residents of Calaveras County and State of California hereby declare and publish our intention to organize a joint stock company for the construction of a turnpike road 18 feet in width, average grade one hundred feet to the mile. Commencing near Brewery Gulch on Main Street in the village in Murphys, 9th township in said County, thence extending down Angels Creek to and crossing the old county road at Mr. Richards’ house near Washington Flat, thence through Italian (Massoni) and Slab Ranches by the most feasible and direct route, terminating at Ward’s Hotel in the village of Altaville, Township No. 8, and notice is hereby given that a meeting will be held for the purpose of a preliminary organization of said company in the village of Murphys on Tuesday, the 26th day of September, 1865, at 2 o’clock p.m."
Murphys Grade Road was quickly completed and was in frequent use upon being opened. The then new corridor was profitable and had an assessed value of $2,150 in 1867. The original franchise toll rights were supposed to expire in September 1885, but the rights were ultimately extended for another five decades. At the time 115 of 120 shares in the Murphys and Altaville Turnpike Company were owned by Joseph Oneto.
Murphys Grade Road can be seen departing Altaville heading northeast on the 1889 United States Geological Survey map of Jackson.
Murphys Grade Road can be seen terminating at Main Street in Murphys on the 1891 United States Geological Survey map of Big Trees.
In April 1893 Joseph Oneto was granted permission by the Murphys and Altaville Turnpike Company to construct a new tollhouse near his residence in Murphys. Oneto was responsible for maintaining Murphys Grade Road and it remained popular amongst commercial interests such as lumber companies. The roadway ultimately was in need of improvement during the early automotive era, and the Board of Directors opted to turn it over to Calaveras County in 1911.
Murphys Grade Road declined in importance and was ultimately replaced by California State Route 4 as the main Angels Camp-Murphys highway corridor. Murphys Grade Road can be seen as a minor local highway north of California State Route 4 on the
1935 Division of Highways of Calaveras County. Murphys Grade Road would later be widened to modern standards in 1943 via funds obtained from a 1943 Federal grant.
Part 2; a drive on Murphys Grade Road
These photos are from westbound Main Street in Murphys from Big Trees Road to the split in Murphys Grade Road and French Gulch Road. 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 Murphy's Diggings. The brothers would found another gold mining camp a short time later to the northeast which was initially known as New Murphy's Diggings. New Murphy's Diggings would receive Post Office Service in 1851 and would be renamed as Murphy's. The community's name would be shortened to just "Murphy" in 1894.
Westbound Murphys Grade Road begins at the left-hand transition approaching French Gulch Road.
Murphys Grade Road descends through the gentle grades of Angels Creek Canyon.
Murphys Grade Road splits from Angels Creek and crosses under the California State Route 4 Angels Camp Bypass. These overpass bridges were opened to traffic during July 2009.
Murphys Grade Road terminates at California State Route 49 in the Angels Camp neighborhood of Altavilla. Altaville was established as a separate town north of Angels Camp in 1852. The city of Angels Camp would eventually annex the community.
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