Welcome to the Bullion Bend Historic Marker in Pollock Pines, California, a site with a unique story from the tumultuous times of the American Civil War. This location is not just a marker; it’s a window into a dramatic episode involving gold, rebellion, and a daring heist.
In 1864, during the height of the Civil War, a group of Confederate sympathizers attempted to rob a stagecoach carrying gold bullion meant for the Union. This audacious plan was hatched to fund the Confederate cause in California, a state rich in gold but largely aligned with the Union. The robbers, known as the Bullion Bend Robbers, were led by a man named Tom Poole. They stopped the stagecoach along the old Carson Road near Pollock Pines, hoping to seize the gold and send it to the Confederacy.
The heist, however, did not go as planned. A fierce gunfight erupted, and the stagecoach drivers managed to repel the robbers, safeguarding the gold. The incident became infamous, not only because of the boldness of the attempt but also due to the subsequent chase and capture of the robbers. Two of Poole’s men were caught, tried, and hanged for their crimes, reflecting the swift justice of the frontier.
This location, now marked by the Bullion Bend Historic Marker, serves as a reminder of California’s complex Civil War history—a state far from the battlefields but still deeply affected by the national conflict. The marker stands as a testament to this chaotic period and the far-reaching impact of the Civil War, even in the remote Sierra Nevada.
Today, visitors to the Bullion Bend Historic Marker can imagine the tension of those times and the desperate measures taken by individuals driven by their beliefs. It’s a story of risk, adventure, and the enduring struggle between divided loyalties.
