Second Garrotte (also spelled Garrote) is a

ghost town Ghost Town(s) or Ghosttown may refer to: * Ghost town, a town that has been abandoned Film and television * ''Ghost Town'' (1936 film), an American Western film by Harry L. Fraser * ''Ghost Town'' (1956 film), an American Western film by All ...

located near Groveland in

Tuolumne County, California Tuolumne County (), officially the County of Tuolumne, is a county located in the U.S. state of California. As of the 2020 census, the population was 55,620. The county seat and only incorporated city is Sonora. Tuolumne County comprises th ...

originally settled during the California Gold Rush. The site of Second Garrote is a

California Historical Landmark A California Historical Landmark (CHL) is a building, structure, site, or place in California that has been determined to have statewide historical landmark significance. Criteria Historical significance is determined by meeting at least one of ...

, No. 460 listed on May 9, 1950. It lies at an elevation of in Second Garrotte Basin. The town was named after a nearby hanging tree, where according to local lore as many as thirty men were said to have been hanged. Certain contemporary accounts from miners and settlers in the area suggest only two men were hung at Second Garrotte, a pair of thieves caught stealing gold dust from a

sluice box Placer mining () is the mining of stream bed ( alluvial) deposits for minerals. This may be done by open-pit (also called open-cast mining) or by various surface excavating equipment or tunneling equipment. Placer mining is frequently used fo ...

. John Chaffee and Jason Chamberlain, early settlers at Second Garrotte who owned the property on which the hanging tree stood, denied any hangings took place. The nearby town of Groveland was originally known as First Garrotte, named after an earlier hanging at that town. The historical location of Second Garrote is at 20450 Old State Route 120, 2.4 miles Southeast of Groveland. The marker was placed there by the California Centennials Commission working with Charles G. Hall Post No. 3668 V.F.W. on September 15, 1950. California Historical Landmark number 460 reads: :''NO. 460 SECOND GARROTE - A sizable settlement was established at this rich placer location in 1849 by miners spreading east from Big Oak Flat and Groveland. The famous hangman's tree, part of which still stands (1950), is reported to have been instrumental in the death of a number of lawbreakers during the heyday of this locality.''

References

History of Tuolumne County, California 1849 in California 1849 establishments in California Former settlements in Tuolumne County, California Tuolumne Populated places in Tuolumne County, California California Historical Landmarks {{TuolumneCountyCA-geo-stub

See also

References