Gold Dredge, Gold dredge in La Grange, California.
Description
The Walter Johnson No. 52 is a bucket line dredge that operated in the region with 120 buckets designed to extract gold from deep below the surface. The machine covers an area larger than a football field and weighs around 2,500 tons in total.
History
The dredge started operations at Patricksville in 1938 and ran until 1951, when falling gold prices made continued extraction no longer profitable. Its closure represented the end of large-scale gold mining operations in this area.
Culture
The site received recognition on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971, preserving the memory of California's industrial mining operations.
Practical
The site sits on private property with restricted access, so visitors can view it from outside or need permission from the owner to enter. It is located about two miles south of California Highway 132 near County Route J59.
Did you know?
Each of the 120 buckets was exceptionally heavy and could dig down to depths of up to 70 feet to reach gold-bearing material. This engineering capability was remarkable for the 1930s and 1940s.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Stanislaus County).
Railtown 1897 State Historic Park
35.7 km
Lake Tulloch
30.8 km
Lake McClure
17.1 km
Turlock Lake State Recreation Area
9.3 km
Knight's Ferry Bridge
26.5 km
Bloss Mansion
33.8 km
Track Bus No. 19
35.7 km
Merced County Courthouse
36.4 km
Leggett House
36.5 km
Castle Air Museum
31.2 km
Thomas H. Leggett House
36.6 km
Bank of Italy
36.9 km
Odd Fellows Hall
3.6 km
Shell Gas Station
3.6 km
Maj. George Beecher Cook House
36.6 km
Abraham Schell House
27 km
Groveland Hotel
31.7 km
Hornitos Masonic Hall No. 98
25.7 km
Old Adobe Barn
3.7 km
Buhach Grammar School
35.6 km
Kaehler-Rector House
36.1 km
Gamble Building and Miner's Bean Kettle
28.7 km
Jacksonville Road Bridge
25.5 km
Wallace Dining Center
30.2 km
La Grange Dam
5.2 km
Old La Grange Schoolhouse
3.5 km
Coulterville Main Street Historic District
26.1 km
Don Pedro Reservoir
15.1 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes