Stanislaus County formed after state

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For California, the discovery of gold at Coloma ushered in what could be called "the worst of times."

Almost suddenly, thousands of gold seekers descended on Northern California, overwhelming San Francisco and the tiny settlements developing in the Mother Lode. It is estimated that more than 100,000 arrived in California from 1848 to 1850, many without shelter, food or sustenance.

Most traveled by four possible routes, each hazardous:

• The sea voyage around Cape Horn, taking five to six months, often in antiquated sea vessels that couldn't withstand storms

• A less perilous sea journey via the Isthmus of Panama and Nicaragua, among malarial jungles. Humans suffered "untold horrors" from thirst and hunger.

• The overland route across the plains, lasting five to six months. Thousands died attempting it, many from diseases such as cholera and yellow fever.

• Another overland trip, but through Mexico. It was dangerous because of the hostility of the Mexicans, so recently vanquished by the Americans in the Mexican- American War.

Many travelers became ill en route, some dying before reaching their destinations. Those who survived were met by chaos as California tried to absorb the thousands of newcomers.

During this period California was not yet a state and needed some sort of formal government to deal with its many problems. In September 1849, the challenge was met by forming a constitutional convention, which met in Monterey to establish a California state government.

The delegates divided the state into 27 counties and gave each a name. One was called Tuolumne County, which included the area of today's Stanislaus County. A settlement named Stewart was designated the county seat of Tuolumne County, later becoming Sonora.

A new county later was formed on property carved from the western portion of Tuolumne County. It was named Stanislaus, after the river. The bill establishing Stanislaus County was passed by both houses of the Legislature and finally was signed into law by Gov. John Bigler on April 1, 1854.

The complicated official description of Stanislaus County's location read as follows: "Commencing on the Stanislaus at the corner of San Joaquin and Calaveras counties; thence running in a southwest course to Spark's Ferry on the Tuolumne River; thence to the boundary line between Tuolumne and Mariposa counties; thence west along said line to the San Joaquin River; thence up said river to the Merced River; thence in a due southwest direction to the summit of the Coast Range; thence in a northwesterly direction following the summit of said range; thence to the southwest corner of San Joaquin County to the place of beginning."

The first election of Stanislaus County officers was held June 10, 1854. The election was hotly contested, and one observer was quoted as saying, "We are enjoying high old election times in this county, and candidates are as numerous as the stars, if not so luminous."

The number of votes counted was 495, resulting in the election of the 12 Stanislaus County officers. These included a senator, assemblyman, county judge, sheriff, clerk and recorder, district attorney, treasurer, surveyor, county judge, public administrator, coroner, assessor and superintendent of schools. At the time, the assessor automatically became the superintendent of schools, a practice later changed.

Well-known farmer Elihu Beard won the assessor race, he being remembered today by Beard School and Beard Brook Park.

Bare is author of several books about area history and the official historian of the McHenry Mansion. E-mail her at columns@modbee.com.