Historic Resource Evaluation Project - Tuolumne Utilities District

Ditch, in anticipation of providing less expensive water to the mines around Columbia
and Shaw’s Flat (Heckendorn and Wilson 1856:8).
The Shaw’s Flat Ditch had its origin in the Sullivan Creek Water Ditch, which was first
noted in the archival record on October 25, 1851, when the company was created at a
meeting of a number of citizens in the Arkansas Hotel in Sonora, where they voted to
form a company for the purpose of cutting said contemplated ditch. On August 24, 1852,
the name was changed to the Sullivan Creek and Tuolumne River Water Company. The
company was formed as a joint stock company with shares, a constitution, and bylaws
naming a president, secretary, treasurer, and chief engineer. It was to be the duty of each
stockholder to work nine hours a fair working day, forfeiting his stock six days after
maturity if he did not work. The constitution was amended August 24, 1852, when the
five-member Board of Directors met at Shaw’s Flat and stated that they “were
embarrassed and unable to continue [the company’s] operations successfully.” The
Board voted to sell the joint stock property, consisting of the Sullivan Creek and
Tuolumne River Water Company ditch or canal, and its one-half interest in the Wood’s
Diggings Water Company Ditch, to James Street for $39,000 (Claims Book 1-7:131,
recorded October 25, 1854).
That same day, James Street filed a Water Privilege, noting that his survey commenced at
the head of the Sullivan Creek and the Tuolumne River Canal on Sullivan Creek, running
southeast to a certain point upon one of the branches of Curtis Creek, at which he
intended building a dam, thence ascending said branch some two miles to a point on the
ridge between Curtis and Blanket creeks, again commencing the canal to follow the slope
around by Cherokee Camp across Blanket and Turnback creeks, a distance of some six
miles, to a low place in the river ridge, thence along the slope of the river ridge some
seven or eight miles to the North Fork of the Tuolumne River. At that point the company
claimed all the water in the river for mining and mechanical purposes, as well as all the
surplus water in Turnback and Blanket creeks, “and in each and every branch that may
cross the line of the canal.” The company also claimed all the timber from the unclaimed
lands along the south side of the canal that might be required in its construction and
forbade anyone to infringe on the right of the survey. That canal was intended to be
constructed “with all practical speed” (Claims Book 1-7:134).
In the 1855 directory, James Street was noted as a native of New York and the proprietor
of the Tuolumne Ditch, which was to be completed the following spring at a cost of
$200,000 (Heckendorn and Wilson 1856:60). On July 6, 1855, Street filed a second
Water Privilege for survey or exploration to the Middle Fork Tuolumne River, and
claimed all the water in the creeks and gulches and forbade anyone trespassing on the
right of the ditch. The purpose was for “leading the water to Sonora and vicinity for
mining purposes” (Claims Book 1-7:194).
On February 1, 1856, S. S. Turner deeded his land, located on both sides of Sullivan
Creek, to James Street for $4000 (Deed Book 4:403), evidently protecting Street’s water
right to Sullivan Creek. The Street Ditch Company was incorporated July 1, 1856
(Articles of Incorporation No. 62). Street’s other operation, the Shaw’s Flat & Tuolumne
Foothill Resources, Ltd. 4.42 TUD Ditch Sustainability Project
Francis Heritage, LLC
Historic Resource Evaluation Report