This is for a 3" x 2.5" PATCH that reads: CARNEGIE HISTORICAL LANDMARK - [CALIFORNIA] HISTORICAL LANDMARK NO. 124

Carnegie

San Joaquin County

California Historical Landmark # 740

   Carnegie is a town site located near the southwest corner of San Joaquin County, nine miles 

southwest of Tracy. On July 5, 1960, the California State Park Commission—predecessor to 

the California State Historical Resources Commission—designated Carnegie California 

Historical Landmark No. 740. Carnegie was an important but short-lived manufacturing center 

for bricks and terra cotta products that were used throughout California and the west. Many 

significant buildings constructed with bricks and terra cotta manufactured at Carnegie stand 

today. In 1979, California State Parks acquired the property and Carnegie became part of the

Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area.

   In 1902, the San Francisco and San Joaquin Coal Mining Company constructed a large brick

manufacturing plant at Carnegie. The plant included a grinding and pug mill, drying sheds, and 

brick kilns. The company quickly constructed a large three-story building to house additional 

brick-cutting machinery. Named for the famous industrialist Andrew Carnegie, Carnegie was 

located only four miles from the town of Tesla to take advantage of the coal and clay mines 

located there.

   By July of 1902, Carnegie’s population grew to 350 persons. Eventually Carnegie included a

large two-story hotel, two bunkhouses, a bakery, a saloon, a slaughterhouse, two school 

buildings, and seventeen houses. Carnegie’s success would not last long. By 1909, the 

holding company that financed the venture faced embezzlement charges and insolvency. Also 

in 1909, two boiler explosions within days of each other and a flood further precipitated a 

steady decline for Carnegie. Although manufacturing continued sporadically for another two 

years, by 1911 almost all work stopped. In February of 1916, the more successful Gladding, 

McBean clay products company purchased the Carnegie properties and immediately 

demolished all of the buildings.

California Historical Landmarks (CHL) are sites, buildings, features, or events that are of statewide significance and have anthropological, cultural, military, political, architectural, economic, scientific or technical, religious, experimental, or other value. The specific standards now in use were first applied in the designation of Landmark # 770.   The CHL program is operated by California State Parks. 

California Historical Landmarks, and Points of Historical Interest are eligible for directional markers. State highway signs are ordered, erected and maintained by the California Department of Transportation for the state highways under their jurisdiction.

To be designated as a California Historical Landmark, a resource must meet at least one of the criteria listed below; have the approval of the property owner(s); be recommended by the State Historical Resources Commission; and be officially designated by the Director of California State Parks.

California Department of Parks and Recreation manages 280 park units, which contain the finest and most diverse collection of natural, cultural, and recreational resources to be found within California. These treasures are as diverse as California: From the last stands of primeval redwood forests to vast expanses of fragile desert; from the lofty Sierra Nevada to the broad sandy beaches of our southern coast; and from the opulence of Hearst Castle to the vestiges of colonial Russia.

California State Parks contains the largest and most diverse natural and cultural heritage holdings of any state agency in the nation. The State Park System includes State Parks, State Natural Reserves, State Historic Parks, State Historic Monuments, State beaches, State Recreation Areas, State Vehicular Recreation Areas, State Seashores and State Marine Parks. Within the -1864system are Natural and Cultural Preserves, lakes and reservoirs, coastal beaches, historic homes, Spanish era adobe buildings, lighthouses, ghost towns, museums, visitor centers, conference centers, and off-highway vehicle recreation areas.  Together, State Park System lands protect and preserve an unparalleled collection of culturally and environmentally sensitive structures and habitats, threatened plant and animal species, ancient Native American sites, historic structures and artifacts... the best of California's natural and cultural history.

With over 340 miles of coastline, 970 miles of lake and river frontage, 15,000 campsites and 4,500 miles of trails, the State Park System provides wonderful recreational, educational, and inspirational opportunities for over 67 million visitors a year.

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