Author: Colfax Area Historical Society, Colfax, CA

You have probably noticed the Shadow Art painted on the walls of buildings and on retaining walls around Colfax. These murals were created by Jim Bowers and Foxey McCleary. The  “Shadows Past” mural shown here is lo­cated on S. Auburn St.

The Grace Hubley Foundation has funded a guide to all of the murals, which is a PDF file that you can down­load and print or view on any device that displays PDF files.

Download the PDF for the Colfax Shadow Art Tour.

This guide includes photos of all seven murals and a walking guide to their locations. It also includes biog­raphies and photos of the artists.

The March 2019 issue of the Colfax Cobblestones newsletter is at the printer, and it will be mailed to CAHS members on March 21.

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Collecting and Trading Historical Tokens from the Colfax Area

Rodger Hisken will display and explain the history of token coins that were issued in the Colfax area

Saturday, March 30, 2019, 7 p.m.                                      
Colfax Passenger Depot
99 Railroad Street, Colfax

Our next guest speaker will be Rodger Hisken, who will display, explain, and answer questions about his collection of metal and wooden trade tokens (also known as token coins) that were issued and used in the Colfax area. Sometimes called “merchant tokens,” they were used to encourage repeat business by giving a customer a token that could only be redeemed with the merchant or business. Sometimes, non-metal tokens provided a way to give change during times of coin or metal shortages.

Rodger will explain the history of tokens, illustrating his presentation with tokens from his personal collection and stories about the detective work involved in collecting and identifying them. Rodger will also answer questions.

If you have tokens, we invite you to bring them to the meeting to show to the group and discuss with Rodger.

Rodger will have tokens from his personal collection on display. Before the meeting, and after his presentation, you will be able to view the collection and talk to Rodger. He will also have some of his reference books on display and can help you find out more about tokens you bring to the meeting.

We will provide a handout about how to learn more about collecting tokens.

There is no charge. This meeting is open to both CAHS members and the public. Visitors and guests are welcome. Refreshments will be provided. Bring a friend!

The December 2018 issue of the Colfax Cobblestones newsletter is in the mail. This issue contains the 1966 story about the Christmas tree that was cut on Grouse Ridge in Nevada County and shipped from Colfax to Washington, DC, to be the Nation’s Christmas Tree.

If you are a member of the CAHS, you will receive your copy in the mail in a few days.

The December 2018 issue is also available to read online or download as a PDF file.

Swend Miller and Ron Nelson have completed the resto­ration of the Bull and Bear sculptures that are located next to the Colfax Passenger Depot, at 99 Railroad St., in Colfax.  

Over the years, maintenance of the sculptures has in­cluded painting them with linseed oil, waterproof ma­rine-grade sealers, and paint. As the sculptures aged and weathered, the Bear and Bull developed structural problems related to vandalism and decay of the wood itself.

The Bull and the Bear sculptures were originally brought to Colfax from Mendocino, California in the 1940s and installed in front of the popular Bull and Bear restaurant on Canyon Way in Colfax.

Roger Staab took the following photos of the restoration.

The September 2018 issue of the Colfax Cobblestones has been mailed to all CAHS members and a PDF version of the newsletter is now available to download or read online. All past issues are available on the Newsletter page.

The May 2018 issue of the Cobblestones is at the printer. We will be mailing a copy to all members this week. The PDF version of the newsletter is available to download now. All past issues are available at Newsletter.