Experience Murphys...
Walk down Main Street past the iron-shuttered stone buildings and the wooden Victorian houses, largely unchanged after more than a century.
You'll see historic buildings, most now shops, identifiable by the unique architecture and often by plaques indicating the history.
There is the Murphys Hotel, where figures ranging from Horatio Alger to U.S. Grant have signed the register. The "Murphys Pokey", a historic jail. The E.C.V. "Wall of Comparative Ovations", plaques detailing the history of famous figures, which must be read with skepticism because of the "Clampers" fondness for pranks, part of this over-the-top fraternal society's satirical take on the stone-faced Masons.
Near the end of Main Street is the often-braying burro, Clarissa.
Each shop here is unique and you won't find the same item in more than one store. Shops range from clothing and accessories to antiques, clocks, kitchenware, food, gifts, and toys.
Restaurants range from the elegant V Restaurant & Bar to the less formal Noto's for Sicilian food, Murphys Grille for Mediterranean, the Murphys Hotel for more traditional fare, and many others.
For a quick bite or coffee there is the Gold Country Coffee Roasting Company, the expresso and pastry from the bakery at the Aria Cafe, and tea at Tea 'an Tiques.
Walk down Main Street past the iron-shuttered stone buildings and the wooden Victorian houses, largely unchanged after more than a century.
You'll see historic buildings, most now shops, identifiable by the unique architecture and often by plaques indicating the history.
There is the Murphys Hotel, where figures ranging from Horatio Alger to U.S. Grant have signed the register. The "Murphys Pokey", a historic jail. The E.C.V. "Wall of Comparative Ovations", plaques detailing the history of famous figures, which must be read with skepticism because of the "Clampers" fondness for pranks, part of this over-the-top fraternal society's satirical take on the stone-faced Masons.
Near the end of Main Street is the often-braying burro, Clarissa.
Each shop here is unique and you won't find the same item in more than one store. Shops range from clothing and accessories to antiques, clocks, kitchenware, food, gifts, and toys.
Restaurants range from the elegant V Restaurant & Bar to the less formal Noto's for Sicilian food, Murphys Grille for Mediterranean, the Murphys Hotel for more traditional fare, and many others.
For a quick bite or coffee there is the Gold Country Coffee Roasting Company, the expresso and pastry from the bakery at the Aria Cafe, and tea at Tea 'an Tiques.
Gold Rush History
In the fall of 1848, two brothers, John and Daniel Murphy, moved south from Placerville, looking for gold. They ended up in what become known as Murphy's Rich Diggings (to distinguish it from a previous Murphy mining camp), where John set up a trading tent. John Murphy became very wealthy largely by trading with the Indians who mined gold for him, and along the way married the daughter of a local Indian chief.
Murphy's Rich Diggings became known by other names, including Murphy's Flat, Murphy's Camp, and then Murphy's. Finally a postmaster removed the apostrophe to avoid confusion with other towns with the same name and it became Murphys.
The gold here was especially rich. As more miners moved into the area, more water was needed to wash the
dirt and gravel to separate the gold, and a canal was built to tap into the Stanislaus River 15 miles up the
mountain. The project required the building of dams and large wooden flumes. In 1853, it was completed,
resulting in Murphys Creek that today flows through the downtown area.
Early mining towns were plagued by fire, and wooden buildings began to be replaced by the stone buildings with iron shutters that you often see today. A fire in 1859 destroyed much of the town, but one such stone building, a dry goods store, survived with its goods undamaged. The Murphys Hotel, however, was not so lucky, and it burned with its contents. The photo above shows the Murphys Hotel after it was rebuilt.
For more on the history of Murphys Click Here
In the fall of 1848, two brothers, John and Daniel Murphy, moved south from Placerville, looking for gold. They ended up in what become known as Murphy's Rich Diggings (to distinguish it from a previous Murphy mining camp), where John set up a trading tent. John Murphy became very wealthy largely by trading with the Indians who mined gold for him, and along the way married the daughter of a local Indian chief.
Murphy's Rich Diggings became known by other names, including Murphy's Flat, Murphy's Camp, and then Murphy's. Finally a postmaster removed the apostrophe to avoid confusion with other towns with the same name and it became Murphys.
The gold here was especially rich. As more miners moved into the area, more water was needed to wash the
dirt and gravel to separate the gold, and a canal was built to tap into the Stanislaus River 15 miles up the
mountain. The project required the building of dams and large wooden flumes. In 1853, it was completed,
resulting in Murphys Creek that today flows through the downtown area.
Early mining towns were plagued by fire, and wooden buildings began to be replaced by the stone buildings with iron shutters that you often see today. A fire in 1859 destroyed much of the town, but one such stone building, a dry goods store, survived with its goods undamaged. The Murphys Hotel, however, was not so lucky, and it burned with its contents. The photo above shows the Murphys Hotel after it was rebuilt.
For more on the history of Murphys Click Here
Wine Tasting
The Sierra foothills have developed into a significant source of wine grapes and wines. Murphys is surrounded by vineyards and wineries, and most have tasting rooms on Main Street, all within a few blocks. The first grapes were planted here during the Gold Rush. Common grape varieties grown here include Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Chardonnay. Vineyards are usually planted between 1500 and 3000 feet above sea level. There are over 100 wineries in the Sierra Foothills.
The Sierra foothills have developed into a significant source of wine grapes and wines. Murphys is surrounded by vineyards and wineries, and most have tasting rooms on Main Street, all within a few blocks. The first grapes were planted here during the Gold Rush. Common grape varieties grown here include Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Chardonnay. Vineyards are usually planted between 1500 and 3000 feet above sea level. There are over 100 wineries in the Sierra Foothills.
Click on the green "Wine Tasting" button at the upper left of this page to see a map with pop-up descriptions and photos that show
the 18 tasting rooms.
Events in Murphys
Murphys has many events throughout the year. Among the more popular are:
Spring Symphony at Ironstone Vineyards. This event includes a display of hundreds of thousands of daffodils, as well as art, food, and wine.
Murphys Irish Days. A street faire with Main Street closed to traffic for dancing to live music and arts and crafts booths. Traditional Irish food is served, and a parade takes place down Main Street on the Saturday nearest to St. Patrick's Day.
Theatre Under the Stars. Live theatre at the Stevenot Winery outdoor amphitheatre in the summer, presented by Murphys Creek Theatre.
Ironstone Vineyards Concerts. Concerts are held at this winery throughout the summer.
Grape Stomp and Gold Rush Days. A competition to see who can squeeze the most juice from 25 pounds of grapes, combined with arts and crafts booths and live entertainment, held the first weekend of October.
President's Day Wine Weekend. A celebration of the new wines released during the weekend, including tasting, live music, and food.
Murphys has many events throughout the year. Among the more popular are:
Spring Symphony at Ironstone Vineyards. This event includes a display of hundreds of thousands of daffodils, as well as art, food, and wine.
Murphys Irish Days. A street faire with Main Street closed to traffic for dancing to live music and arts and crafts booths. Traditional Irish food is served, and a parade takes place down Main Street on the Saturday nearest to St. Patrick's Day.
Theatre Under the Stars. Live theatre at the Stevenot Winery outdoor amphitheatre in the summer, presented by Murphys Creek Theatre.
Ironstone Vineyards Concerts. Concerts are held at this winery throughout the summer.
Grape Stomp and Gold Rush Days. A competition to see who can squeeze the most juice from 25 pounds of grapes, combined with arts and crafts booths and live entertainment, held the first weekend of October.
President's Day Wine Weekend. A celebration of the new wines released during the weekend, including tasting, live music, and food.