A century. That’s a long time to be around especially in the Sierra Nevada. Winter storms with heavy snowfall and hurricane–like winds. A barrage of summer fires. A continuous development of roads, freeways, and other buildings. And yet remains the oldest buildings in California High Sierra… a true testament of grit.
Osgood’s Toll House (1859)
When the Comstock Lode was found near Virginia City in 1858, it caused traffic jams & considerable damage to the roads. To help fix this important artery between Hang Town and Virginia City, toll houses were setup along the route. One of these was the Osgood Toll House originally standing at the bottom of Meyers Grade. Now the oldest standing structure in Lake Tahoe, it sits behind the Lake Tahoe Historical Society Museum in Tahoe South.
Gray’s Station (1863)
In the same vein as Mr. Osgood, Joseph Gray saw an opportunity to setup a tavern and way station in the location of what has become the Historic Town of Truckee. It was the only solitary building in the area and sat at the corner of Jibboom and Bridge Streets. A place where the twenty to thirty horse-drawn freight wagons as well as the California Stage Company could rest, get the comforts of a roadside inn, and even purchase supplies. Despite all the years of wear & tear, you can see this sturdy building at its permanent home of 10030 Church Street.
Old Webster School (1882)
The town of Markleeville, much like in the classic “old-fashioned barn raising” stories, came together to build this schoolhouse. Led by local carpenter Louis Monroe, the townspeople completed the project in 1882. The schoolhouse features tall, wide windows that let in plenty of sunlight, as well as a stone platform for the wood stove, built by local mason Hank Mason to prevent fire hazards and retain heat safely. For nearly forty years, the building served not only as a school but also as a venue for community events like dinners, dances, and plays. Restored in the 1960s, it’s now part of the Alpine County Museum.
Laws Railroad Museum & Historic Site (1880s)
Over the crest on the eastern side lies a treasure trove for history buffs called the Laws Railroad Museum & Historic Site. The Bishop Museum and historical society has recreated a village around the original 1883 depot and Agent’s House. It’s also home to the last steam train to operate on the old Narrow-Gauge line that it sits on. When this depot was active, it was on the longest narrow-gauge railroad in the entire west. The Laws Museum is just outside of the town of Bishop.
Fremont Adobe (1850)
Mariposa has long served as a gateway to Yosemite and a crossroads of cultures, from the indigenous Southern Miwok people to Spanish settlers and Gold Rush pioneers. A prime example of this rich history is the oldest building in Mariposa. In 1850, just six years after Col. John C. Fremont became one of the first European settlers to see Lake Tahoe, he and his wife, Jesse, built the Fremont Adobe. This unique structure is the only three-story adobe building still in use in California.
Inside, you can find large murals created around 1900 for the Gordon Hotel by artist Cornelious E. Vejer. The Fremont Adobe is just one of 63 historic buildings you’ll find in Mariposa, including the underrated landmark Mariposa County Courthouse. For a deeper exploration of Mariposa’s history and what you can see today, check out Yosemite-Mariposa County’s article: “Touch Yosemite History in Mariposa County.”
The Palace Hotel (1876)
Driving past the nearly 150-year-old building, the quiet exterior of this two-story brick hotel conceals a rich history within. Built in 1876, it was once the largest and finest hotel outside San Francisco. On July 14, 1915, it hosted a notable dinner party for the Mather Mountain Party, featuring an eclectic mix of guests, including renowned authors like Emerson Hough, the director of the National Geographic Society, and Henry Fairfield Osborn, president of the American Museum of Natural History and the New York Zoological Society.
Over two weeks, the group trekked through Sequoia National Park and summited Mt. Whitney, drawing attention to the lack of oversight and deteriorating conditions in the park. Much like John Muir’s tour with Theodore Roosevelt that helped establish national parks, Stephen Mather’s Mountain Party played a crucial role in the creation of the National Park Service. Take in this building and other historical sites on Visalia’s historic walking tour.
City Hotel (1852)
You’d be surprised to learn that in the High Sierra exists a town that’s one of the oldest in the state of California. Sonora was incorporated on May 1, 1851 making it older than every other city except for ten. And its oldest building is the City Hotel right in the center of town, built in 1852 by Sonora’s mayor and James Lane. This is where crowds have gathered for more than a century to take in events like the 4th of July parades, races, and other goings on.
Bridgeport County Courthouse (1880-81)
Although this isn’t the oldest building in the valley, as the George Byron Day House (1863) is, it’s the most prominent in the historic center of Bridgeport. It’s also the second oldest courthouse in the state. The three-story wooden building features Italian architecture and a gorgeous square cupola. To learn more about the area’s history, head west to the Mono County Museum, housed in an old schoolhouse.
These building aren’t just the oldest but a chance for a glimpse into the first individuals that migrated here and decided to call the High Sierra home. Like many after them, they came for opportunities and stayed for the beauty.
Author: Alex Silgalis
Alex founded Local Freshies® in 2014 to be the #1 website providing the “local scoop” on where to eat, drink & play in mountain towns throughout North America. When he’s not writing and executing marketing strategies for small businesses & agencies, he’s in search of the deepest snow in the winter and tackiest dirt in the summer.
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