Murphys Irish Heritage

Mysteriously, each year around St. Patrick's Day a huge green shamrock appears in the main intersection of the gold rush town of Murphys. It is said that the Irish supported with uninhibited glee the celebration of St. Patrick's Day. With a town name of "Murphys", you can only expect a most befitting celebration. To truly understand what is behind Murphys Irish Day, first explore a wee bit o'history.

The Murphys, largest group of the Stephens-Townsend-Murphy party, were the first immigrants to successfully bring wagons over the Sierras to California in 1844, paving the route for the westward migration. On that historic journey, Elizabeth Yuba Murphy was born, making her the first white child born in California to emigrant parents. Once settled, the Murphy family established the first school in Sacramento County, were the first to import American cattle and Norman horses to California, the first to become successful wheat farmers in the Central Valley, built the first framed house and planted the first orchards in the Santa Clara Valley, and founded the City of Sunnyvale.

The Murphy family acquired more than 10 million acres of land in California. Historians say a person could ride a horse from San Luis Obispo to San Francisco without ever leaving the Murphy's property! John and Daniel came to present day Angels-Murphys Creek and moved east to what is now their namesake, the town of Murphys.

The Murphys brothers had become millionaires before they turned the age of 25. Their find had a significant impact on the entire area and brought world recognition, as people came from far and wide to see "California's Richest Diggins". The cabin that sheltered the Donner party was actually built by the Stephens-Townsend-Murphy party in 1844.

A stroll down Main Street puts you back in the mid 1800's with buildings bearing thick stone walls, iron shutters, and pastoral gardens with white picket fences. Today, visitors come to Murphys not for gold, but for the relaxed atmosphere of this charming town. You will find galleries galore, bed and breakfast inns to rest your pioneer spirit, notable restaurants, a gazebo-by-the-creek public park, an incredible array of boutique shops, and a host of fine wineries, known as "California's Historic Wine Country".

No doubt about it, once you arrive in Murphys, you will be smitten, for smiles all around are the garment for the day and many can be found leaving with a skip in their step and a charm in their heart for Murphys, Queen of the Sierra.