Historic Jails of the California Mother Lode

You've been busted for being interested in history so Jeff will take you to four historic jails used to contain ruffians and villains from the mining camp days. He'll show you the old stone jails of Sonora, Columbia and Jamestown in Tuolumne County and the replica of the 1900 wooden jail of La Grange in eastern Stanislaus County.
#historicjails #motherlode #historyhunters

[@thejaydemarie3990]

I've lived in Sonora for going on 10 years and I still learn so much through your videos 😊 I absolutely love living right in the middle of all the surrounding towns & history. Always so much to discover and explore.

[@chrisservyce6538]

Me too

[@thejaydemarie3990]

@@chrisservyce6538 Hi neighbor 👋

[@sistergoldenhair2231]

My father and brother built a cabin (off grid) on 20 acres above Columbia in 1973. It had 2 played out gold mines on it. Know the Columbia and Jamestown well. Great video.

[@Moultrie31768]

Great videos Jeff. I am retired law enforcement but back in the 70's I was worried about prisoners breaking out of our city jail. Always wondered if the noises in the ceilings were a prisoner that managed to get out of his cell. Well, in the 2000's we no longer used our city jail so we had to remove all the cells. I used a jig saw with a metal blade and it barely even scratched the cell bars but quickly dulled the blade. No saw that I used could get through those bars. And looking at the top there was a 1/2 inch metal plate welded to the top of each cell. The heating/cooling ducts had rebar welded across them. So, now I know there was no way a prisoner could get out. The only way we could remove the cells was using an acetylene torch and that even took some time. So there was a period of time in the 50's and 60's when they really knew how to make a secure jail cell. Keep up the good work on the history lessons and videos.

[@alanatolstad4824]

Interesting. Thanx for sharing.

[@claudettedelphis6476]

Thank you for your experienced information 🌼 Great video indeed 🍄🦥🐎

[@foxmulder4269]

Thanks !

[@mariemorgan7759]

Great tour of those old jails. It's nice to see the structures of California's past are still around and being taken care of. With modern cities like Los Angeles, it's not easy to believe that it was once a small cattle town!

[@jbenziggy]

Glad you enjoyed it, Marie! I think time will eventually take down the old brick buildings. The old mortar just doesn't hold forever!

[@janetceniza8091]

I see that I was not the only fan who thought you might be sick or we would not get a bit of history today.

[@WyomingTraveler]

That was a neat trip through the past. I visit several of these town fifty plus years ago when I took a trip along highway 49. I would like to do it again, now that I know more history of the region.

[@travelindave]

Thinking about all of the snow and cold weather here in Oklahoma. It must have been freezing in those cells. Thanks for sharing Jeff!

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks! Sorry about your cold! I hear that it’s bad back there right now. I think the prisoners were treated to a pot belly stove in the front part of the jail. But still way too cold I would imagine.

[@BrentMcMurray]

Almost thought I wasn’t gonna learn some history today! Love learning about this type of stuff

[@jimbullard441]

Same here. Was disappointed when I didn't see a video this morning. Love Jeff's (and Sarah's) explorations of history.

[@brentwilde9843]

I've been watching but haven't commented in awhile. Just want to remind you how much I appreciate your time and effort in making and posting. Thank you so much Jeff so much I have learned on stuff I did not know how much I'm interested. ✌😎👍not nesr long enough Jeff you left me wanting more lol.

[@jbenziggy]

Wow, thank you. We never know who is watching or how we are being received so I truly appreciate knowing that you like our channel, Brent! Awesome!

[@nicholedecker9124]

Loved going to this area back in the 80s. My favorite day out was to walk around these old towns and take in the history.

[@RhettyforHistory]

Very interesting to see all the different jails! I certainly have no intentions on ever staying one!

[@jbenziggy]

That’s good because a lot of people like me would be missing your videos. LOL

[@jimmyjames6267]

Love these old California towns and they're History

[@vonwebber7852]

Hi Jeff and Sarah! Always liked when you film in the foothills. That was one of my stomping grounds. Still have family that live there. Also, I like your original logo! Glad to see that one again. Really fits your theme. Nice job!

[@TheFlyingMiner1]

Outstanding! As a gold miner I appreciate this!

[@kodiakbearson8815]

Hey Jeff! Another great video. I was just wondering if you could one day do the Iron jail in Knights Ferry. Interesting fact is that it was made of boiler - plate iron and I believe it was in use when Knights Ferry was the Stanislaus county seat between 1862 and 1872. It looks like it would be extremely hot in the summer, as well as bone - chilling in the winters, it was definitely not built for comfort, that's for sure. I always enjoy your videos and look forward to the next. The two of you stay safe and healthy and see you in the next video!

[@melissas.117]

I wish I had had someone like you for a history teacher, I think I would have learned a whole lot more because you make it so much more interesting. Now that I am an older lady I love taking picture of historical markers and plaques, really love the history. Thanks for such great videos.

[@haroldnelson3734]

Such great history in the Mother Lode towns! Thanks for spotlighting these buildings still standing from those rough & tumble times. Great video and history lesson!

[@normahird9059]

Another historic vlog done with much research and care. Thank you for all of your dedication to entertain and educate your viewers.

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks so much, Norma! We really do appreciate your nice comment!

[@rhondaz356]

This is so interesting. I love the way you do your homework, and present us with as much info as possible. Thanks for another great video, Jeff. 👏🤠👏

[@justinvernal]

One of the best produced shows out there👌🇺🇸

[@jbenziggy]

What a great compliment! Thank you!

[@garythompson5053]

Thanks, Jeff, for another well researched and presented video of local history.

[@timswanger3547]

Love Columbia. I used to go every year as a field trip in elementary school. In the early 1990’s I took a class at CSUS that required me to travel through the foothill towns while listening to the audio lecture of the professor via cassette tape. You would be an excellent history teacher. I’m learning so much from your videos that I’d never known. Thank you! Also, it was great meeting you at Disneyland. Great moments with Mr Lincoln is a must for me whenever I go. Unfortunately my family never has any interest in it and I always see it alone. Keep up the great work!

[@jbenziggy]

It was such a surprise meeting you there! I have always loved the Lincoln exhibit and actually got to talk to Royal Dano about how he ended up doing Lincoln's voice in that attraction. I have him on video somewhere explaining how Disney approached him to do the voice! I appreciate you watching and mostly for saying hi! Just before that somebody recognized me on Main Street and turns out they were fans from Turlock, California! It truly is a "Small World." LOL

[@fountainbiker]

I was checking my subscription this morning and wondered what time do you load these videos up on Sunday? Glad to see this one before sunset and learned some more about my town and surrounding towns. I've been inside the Sonora Museum but didn't remember it was a jail back in the day! Oh, by the way, you guys love the special pizza places, have you tried 'Embers' on Washington St, in Sonora at the stop light? Oval brick pizza oven with amazing and unique pizza choices!Thanks Jeff!

[@jbenziggy]

I typically upload the videos at 7:30 AM on Sunday morning but I was away on vacation last week and didn’t have time to finish it so therefore it’s late posting today. We have not tried out the pizza that you mention in Sonora. Will have to do that!

[@fountainbiker]

@@jbenziggy That's right! You went to Disneyland!!

[@jamesminear2336]

I wish towns and cities, counties would preserve more historic buildings like this! There was an old Jail at the corner of Third and Court st in Woodland when I was a kid but Yolo County needed a bigger more modern on so they built one that covered a whole city block behind the old jail and when it was finished we they allowed it to be the Haunted Jail one year for Halloween around 1971 then it was tore down and made into a parking lot.. the Jail and Sheriff’s office that replaced it only lasted 25-30 years and they built an even bigger one on what was the outskirts of town.. sad they tore down the old one that served Yolo County for 70 + years! Great job as always Jeff!

[@sandrawilburn4930]

Great video. I love old museum and jails. Just find it fascinating at the construction of the buildings then. The treatment of the criminals then was just plain awful. Thank you for the history lesson today.

[@jared1870]

This video blew past quickly. Thanks for the tour, I love these historic buildings.

[@marygarner5249]

Absolutely love History Hunter's always so interesting you bring History ALIVE 👍👍👍👍

[@jbenziggy]

That makes us happy! Thanks so much!

[@bobbauer2287]

Really cool! Interesting stuff! I think them were the bread 🍞 and water 💧 days. Glad they keep them historically speaking. Hope you brought your get out of jail free card ! 😆 good job Jeff! Thanks Bob

[@croatiancroissant28776]

We just visited the old jail site in Silver Mountain City(long abandoned and torn down). Great story about the jail and Hangman’s bridge, a murderer, and a lynch mob not trusting the court system. I love this old stuff. Great videos.

[@melindagordonbeck8958]

Thanks again Jeff for great content and another visit home! We do appreciate your videos each week. We’ve traveled so many of these places and really miss California!♥️

[@jbenziggy]

Our pleasure! Sorry you miss California so bad. We are tempted to flee California too but I'm sure I'd miss this state too much. The politics I would prefer to change though!

[@melindagordonbeck8958]

@@jbenziggy totally! If it weren’t for that and the rising costs, lack of water, (I could go on) we’d still be there!!!! But thank you!!!

[@greyghostjay]

Imagine the elements like heat and severe cold in those tiny cells. Great video as always!

[@howarddavis685]

Always love watching your videos. You always do your research and include your own personal history in all your videos! Great job!

[@OcotilloTom]

I lived in Ione for a few years from 2003 to 2007. Nice to see the old stomping grounds again.

[@zackdaniels6858]

Another Excellent episode! Thankyou Sir.

[@MzzzNettie]

I love it when you come up our way. I'd love to see more videos of the Mother Lode area.

[@SHAWNSTER1969]

Just found your channel yesterday and have been binge watching. Im also from California Fresno exactly. Love old history and greatly enjoy your channel.

[@jbenziggy]

Well we are very glad that you found us. I’ll be doing some visits to Fresno in the not too distant future so be sure to watch for those when I do them.

[@k.m.slattery6263]

Thank you Jeff. It is great to see these interesting and historic buildings!👍🏼😊

[@daltonbrown9660]

Make sure to buy some ice cream in Columbia state park :) thank you for sharing some more history for us.

[@jbenziggy]

Next time! Chocolate is my favorite, says Jeff!

[@glennjudd2467]

Been waiting all day for a video ! Great video ! I'm 74 , so far no jail ! Jail time back then was no fun !

[@glennjudd2467]

Great stuff !

[@tonedeafcreations3626]

Caught your episode about rude people today,Had been offline for a little bit,Remember there always those of us who appreciate your efforts and know what it takes to make this work,Too you and the Mrs. have been many places which is not always a happy experience just to make a episode for the people,I'm in my 60's and a vet who has experienced many things,But I love even short stories that add to my knowledge,You do very well young man,Blow them off and keep on going,I stopped caring long ago about people who are jealous of fame of others,I'm nobody except to my own,Yet feel part of the experience,Thank You.

[@jackyandell2489]

Thank you very much for the hard work you and Sara put into these great learning videos. Keep up the great information, stay safe..

[@lloydberges3533]

Another great video from my favorite channel. Thanks.

[@davec9244]

Here I thought I was the only history nerd around. Looks like you have 1,127 fellow nerds watching! thank you for giving us something to do! Please keep on giving, thank you and stay safe

[@jbenziggy]

I don’t call myself a history nerd; I call myself a history enthusiast!

[@davec9244]

@@jbenziggy couldn't spell that, but now I got this thank you👍

[@Liz-cmc313]

Love history, especially done like this.

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you very much, Liz! I appreciate your kind comment!

[@corinnerundell8154]

Love learning about the history surrounding my town through you guys! Amazing video! I’m definitely going to have to do some exploring myself

[@dannasilva9079]

Another excellent video!! Love learning all this old history. Thanks for all you do Jeff

[@stevemellin5806]

Cool old buildings. Thank you . Have a great week

[@corevette]

Thank you for all of your videos. I always check and look forward to the next one!

[@jbenziggy]

You are so welcome! Thanks for always watching!

[@lotusdolphin]

I’ve lived in Modesto my whole life and have learned so much watching you over the years. Here I thought I knew it all. LOL thanks again!💜🍀🤟🏻😎

[@jbenziggy]

That is awesome! If you bump into us say hi!

[@lotusdolphin]

@@jbenziggy I will absolutely do that!

[@halhunter4399]

Enjoyed it Jeff. Thanks for all your time and expense in making these great videos.

[@janicecanfield9211]

Great video Jeff. Lived in Cali 67 years, saw much much of it but some not much as I would have liked. Love this video. Great job. Love the comment by former police about dismantling prison, too. Oh, about those crappy cells. They aren't supposed to be 5 star! Looking like young Patrick Duffy. Thanks, Jan

[@webchuck1]

Hello Jeff, Thanks for sharing this story on jails across California very interesting.

[@starrens]

Love your closing! Made me chuckle! 🙂

[@jbenziggy]

I wanted to close in a different way and apparently it got a chuckle out of a few of our viewers! We appreciate the comment, Sandy!

[@colinbrown364]

Such a shame people feel a need to leave There mark every where , great show once again thankyou 👍🤓🇦🇺.

[@michaelgadbois3187]

Absolutely love your videos and history lessons. Thank you so much.

[@Ravelinn]

Thank you again for this History Hunt.

[@lisaburns2117]

Nice jail tour Jeff. Thank you.

[@jeffreyluna7016]

Always interesting Jeff and ty for education and learning about the history of California

[@DavidsExecutiveTouch17]

Good evening..... Had us worried, hadn't seen you yet today..... Gotta have The History Hunters on Sunday..... 😎😎🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@jbenziggy]

Have no fear, History Hunters is here! LOL

[@unbiasedobserver]

I just ran across this great video. I don’t know how I missed it! 🤪. Thanks for all your efforts!

[@Slick2462]

Really enjoy your videos! The graffiti does degrade the historic value of the buildings but not totally? Thanks for taking me along 😊👍

[@wittay]

When I was in Columbia a few months back with the kids, some locals pointed us to a second jail building closer to the other end of the historical district. It's not fixed up, and looked like a root cellar with one barred window. Looking at the map, would have been behind the D.O. Mills building. It's not on the map though, so who knows, maybe the locals were pulling our leg, haha. Great root beer at the Douglass Saloon though.

[@karlrodarmel4533]

Know your busy,but miss your shows,wishing you both the best.

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks! We post a new show every Sunday so how can you say you miss our shows?

[@Waiting_777]

I wondered where the Pollardville jail went to. My kids were at a birthday party at Pollardville. We had put some of the kiddos in the jail. I was holding the door closed with one hand, my thumb stretched across. Someone yanked on the door really hard. A piece of metal sliced my thumb base open. I had to go get stitches. I guess if someone did a dna check you might find some of mine on the metal. Lol. Thanks for letting us know where it went. I met Slim Pickens in Sonora at the ice cream shop. Got invited to his daughter’s wedding. Didn’t go, I was Smokey the Bear that summer for the County Fair circuit. You need to do Daffodil Hill in Volcano in the Spring. Hit more history about the Miner 49er highway (Hwy 49) and all of its little towns. Mark Twain Cabin visit and the Calaveras County Frog Jump. Include the old laundry hung across the road. Stockton was the home of the Mudville nine baseball team and the story of Casey at the Bat. Sad story about Casey and how he was taken from Stockton’s baseball team as a mascot by another franchise. Bought back to Cali by the owner of the Visalia Oaks. Casey is used only once a year now for an old timers baseball game. Kids need to know the story of Casey at the Bat. I’m a Stocktonian and I grew up with that story. My kids were read the story. My kids are on the video as we moved the team to the new banner island ballpark by throwing a ball from the old baseball field (Billy Herbert) to the new. The baseball history in the valley is rich. A husband and wife team used to own the Lodi and Stockton teams. Keep showing the rich history. Do some of the Native American stories, Lake Tulare was what they protected. One of the reasons Hwy 101 is the el Camino real. The native Americans would not let them over the coastal range to their hunting areas. I found it very interesting when I was told that story.

[@jeffgrey663]

Was thinking you might skip an upload today ! Thanks for posting

[@macw2234]

Fascinating thank you

[@boostedcadillac8496]

Another great video!

[@marydavis57]

Thanks for sharing

[@klumog1]

Great video, thanks!

[@OutaTimeFPV]

The Sonora jail has a nice little courtyard out back with tables. I believe it was where the jailmates could get some air. Love your videos.

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you very much. Glad you enjoyed our video on jails!

[@melissajensen3166]

Great video as usual. I’ve been to all those towns. Great history. Thanks Jeff.

[@dennis1979gm]

Another great video! Thanks again!

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks so much!

[@ThomasL1509]

Keep up the great work!

[@artgarner5708]

Another great tour Jeff. Thanks

[@jbenziggy]

My pleasure!! We appreciate you watching, Art!

[@dscobellusa]

Great video!

[@haroldj.kennedy7300]

Your postings are always so interesting. I look for them nearly everyday..Reviewing older postings over and over. Thank you for sharing

[@bobbauer2287]

Shared it with my friends in Raymond California 👍

[@xNextRandomHerox]

Always awesome my man!

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks again!

[@johnscanlon5889]

I like your historical comparisons, now, before. Visual too.

[@anthonyralston4879]

New intro very nice 👍🏻 great episode love history

[@kathybinkley1081]

Thank you for history

[@harrymarnell8669]

SUPER, Thanks!

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you too, Harry!

[@privatepilot4064]

Thanks Jeff!!

[@WalkwithHistory]

Very cool video. Thank you.

[@Sgtklark]

There was this ghost town a few miles outside of Merced called Hornitos and had a single-cell jail.

[@jbenziggy]

Yes, we have it on our radar!

[@harrisonmantooth3647]

Thanks for sharing another informative video with us Jeff. My wife and I have photographs of these old Jails from some of our visits. We have two pictures where my wife and I pose in the doorway of the jail in Jamestown. I love the history of the Motherlode country. Looking forward to watching your next installment. We miss seeing Sarah in these videos. Stan.

[@paulagibson2672]

Thank you, this was interesting.

[@norahs.4718]

I was waiting all morning for your video..now it's here.. I'm forever a big fan....love your channel... Thank you

[@jbenziggy]

We couldn’t finish the video until this afternoon so it came later. Thanks Norah for being such a great fan! Much appreciated!

[@joelhurley2678]

Jeff great video and thanks for sharing the history.

[@jbenziggy]

Great to hear! We really appreciate your support and encouragement!

[@Skunkape74]

Good stuff...Thanks for sharing!!!!!

[@jbenziggy]

Absolutely! Thank you!

[@lindsaymacpherson8782]

Very much enjoyed the video Jeff Thankyou

[@jbenziggy]

Glad to hear it!

[@pamelakern2849]

Great video Jeff!! Thankyou for all the wonderful videos 💫💫

[@jbenziggy]

You’re so welcome! Thanks for being a faithful viewer!

[@cheaplaughkennedy2318]

Really good episode. This channel is great . Glad I subscribed 👍

[@Sparose3]

Jeff, I really enjoy your videos! You have such a nice soothing voice, it relaxes me to watch them.

[@jbenziggy]

Wow, thank you! I appreciate you telling me so!

[@raccabird8889]

Awesome Jeff

[@frankcasey7423]

Very cool look at the old poke’s! (Haha!) Thanks for the tour guy’s and as always, I thoroughly enjoy all your video’s and look forward to the next! Take care now! Frank from Philadelphia, PA.

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks for watching, Frank! We can always count on you!

[@frankcasey7423]

@@jbenziggy your very welcome! Love your content and really enjoy learning something different and new! 👍

[@stevelinscome728]

Great theme! Thanks 🏍💨

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you too!

[@bobby-io2rr]

Enjoyed it

[@kimmartin8760]

Great video

[@jesusfelix2605]

Thank you

[@tonypadilla1330]

Jeff, (& Sarah) thank you again for another history hunters. My husband & I were wondering what “clampers”? Keep doing great work, please. We watch all your videos & give a thumbs up every time.

[@jbenziggy]

Good question! Clampers are a slang word for E Clampus Vitus, a fraternal organization dedicated to the preservation of the heritage of the American West, especially the history of the Mother Lode and gold mining regions of the area. There are chapters in California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Montana and Outposts in other western states. Members call themselves "Clampers."