In 1847 while traveling to Salt Lake City, Sam Brannan left supplies near a spring at the mouth of the Carson River Canyon. The location was situated on the Carson River Route of the emigrant trail where the mountainous road opened into the Carson Valley. Brannan Springs grew and became the first non-native settlement in the area.
When a post office opened in 1858 the town’s name was changed to Cary’s Mill. The name was changed again in 1869 to Woodfords due to the proximity to a hotel owned by Daniel Woodford.
(Photo Credit: Claritage Press)
In 1854 Willis P. Merrill opened the first store in Woodfords in what is now called the Wade House. The Wade House still stands and is the oldest continuously-inhabited house in the Eastern Sierras. Merrill operated the store at this location until he built a store on leased land farther west of town.
On April 4, 1860 Cary’s barn in Woodfords became a remount station for the Pony Express. This lasted a brief 5 week span until the Pony Express was rerouted to Echo Summit and Kingsbury Grade.
Woodfords in now an unincorporated town with about 150 residents. Nothing remains of the Pony Express station or barn. There are 2 historical markers by the Mad Dog Cafe.
(Photo credit: Clairitage Press)
My friend Cherie and I like to stop at the Mad Dog Cafe after photographing bald eagles. The cafe is built on the site of the former Woodfords Station. We sit by the historic Pony Express markers and enjoy a melty yummy sandwich and a glass of wine. It makes a perfect end to the day!
Visited 3-4-2020, 6-16-2020
References
- Clairitage Press: Woodfords, California
- Dustman, Karen. Historic Alpine: A Driving Tour of Woodfords, Diamond Valley & Fredericksburg Historic Sites. Clairitage Press, 2019. Pages 5-10.
- Paher, Stanley. Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps. Nevada Publications, 1970. Page 61.
- Wikipedia: Woodfords, California
Stephen says
Very interesting history. Love the stuff on Sam Brannon. I did some interesting stuff. Brigham was not happy with him. You has a busy day. Thanks for the post
Tami says
Thanks, I’m working on Chemung and Masonic today! Supposedly my uncle was President James Buchanan. He created the Nevada territory to get it out of the control of Brigham Young. That allowed for Nevada to become a state later. I have never verified the relationship.