Columbia, the "Gem of the Southern Mines," became a town of 4000 to 5000 in the 1850's, following the discovery of gold here by the Hildreth party March 27, 1850. Gold shipments, estimated at $87,000,000, declined rapidly after 1858, but Columbia never became a "ghost town."

Columbia State Historic Park was created in 1945 to preserve its historic buildings and sites.

California Registered Historical Landmark No. 123

Plaque placed by California State Park Commission in cooperation with Tuolumne County Chamber of Commerce,
May 10, 1958