Welcome to the Tuolumne County Historical Society
Our Mission shall be to discover, collect, preserve, and disseminate knowledge about the history of Tuolumne County and the State of California.
Museum Hours:
Sunday CLOSED
Monday CLOSED
Tuesday 10am-4pm
Wednesday 1pm-4pm
Thursday 10am-4pm
Friday 10am-3:30pm
Saturday 10am-3:30pm
The Tuolumne County Historical Society was established in 1956 to preserve, protect and perpetuate the colorful history of one of California’s original counties. The Tuolumne County Historical Society, the Tuolumne County Museum and History Research Center, and the Tuolumne County Genealogical Society provide resources to serve and inform scholars, local residents and visitors with information on this area’s rich history.
The Tuolumne County History Collection is a large volume of historical information consisting of the memories and images of Tuolumne Gold Rush through modern times. Tuolumne County’s historical resources are highlighted in this site to encourage you to visit our facilities and to participate in and enjoy our rich history.
ARRASTRA HISTORY
The Tuolumne County Historical Society arrastra logo is a representation of early gold mining and extraction techniques brought to the Gold Country by miners from Sonora, Mexico and Chile. After the easy gold available in river beds was exhausted, the arrastra process was used to crush quartz rock holding the precious gold veins that the miners sought. The mule, often blindfolded, pulled a large stone (drag stone) over the ore which was spread over a base of flat stones and water, crushing it into a gritty mash. It was then gathered and doused with mercury to separate the gold from the quartz.