Dogtown Road

Dogtown Road is an approximately ten-mile highway located in the Sierra Nevada range of Calaveras County, California. The highway begins at Calaveritas Road and winds through the mountainous terrain to California State Route 49 in the Altaville District of Angels Camp. The highway is named after a small mining community which was once located at French Gluch. Pictured as the blog cover is the wooden deck San Domingo Creek Bridge which was constructed during 1940.

Part 1; the history of Dogtown Road

Dogtown Road is named after a small mining community which was located south of San Domingo Creek at French Gulch. Dogtown and the namesake Dogtown Road can be seen on the 1889 United States Geological Survey map of Jackson. The map displays Dogtown Road connecting from the outskirts of Calaveritas to Altaville (now part of Angels Camp). Dogtown Road is shown to traverse San Antonio Creek, Indian Creek, San Domingo Creek and French Gulch.

Dogtown Road has persisted with minimal changes since the nineteenth century. The steel girder/wooden deck bridges at San Domingo Creek and French Gulch were installed by Calaveras County during 1940.

Part 2; a drive on Dogtown Road

Southbound Dogtown Road begins at the mutual terminus of Calaveritas Road and Fricot City Road.

Dogtown Road intersects Fourth Crossing and drops to a single paved lane. Traffic is advised of the weight limit capacities five miles to the south.

Southbound Dogtown Road crosses the San Antonio Creek Bridge.

Dogtown Road makes the first of two crossings of Indian Creek near the San Antonio Creek Bridge.

Southbound Dogtown Road makes a right hand turn at the intersection with Esmeralda Road.

Dogtown Road crosses Indian Creek a second time. Traffic is warned of the weight limits two miles ahead at the San Domingo Creek Bridge.

Southbound Dogtown Road follows the courses of San Domingo Creek and crosses it via the 1940-era wooden deck bridge.

Dogtown Road next passes through the site of the namesake community and crosses the wooden deck French Gulch Bridge.

Dogtown Road climbs south from French Gulch and becomes a two-lane road at Lakeside Drive.

Dogtown Road terminates at California State Route 49 at the Altaville district of Angels Camp.

Altaville was founded in 1852 and has been since annexed by Angels Camp. The Altaville Grammar School still stands on the west side of California State Route 49 near the terminus of Dogtown Road. The school was built in 1858 and was in use until the 1950s.

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