NOW & THEN: How Rocca Park got its name,

1897 was a pivotal year for the Jamestown area.

The Sierra Railway Co. of California had completed its line from Oakdale to the mining town in November of that year. Many of the Jamestown buildings were also constructed around that same time.

This photo shows the portion of the Rocca block that held the John Rocca Saloon.

Saloons in the early days would mint tokens to hand out to customers and ensure that they return to redeem their free beer, and hopefully buy several more. Tokens for Rocca’s Saloon were minted with, “Rocco Saloon Jamestown.” It was common to use both spellings of the name in those days.

The block burned in the last big fire in Jamestown on Nov. 29, 1966.

The site is now where Rocca Park is located.

John Rocca came to Tuolumne County as a boy around 1859 to meet his father, who was already here working the diggings at Woods Creek. His story is a true 49er tale.

Coming from the Genoa region of Italy, Rocca and his father did well placer mining. While still a very young man, he worked for a time as head clerk in his father and uncle’s general merchandise store.

Rocca saved enough money to buy his 1,000-plus-acre ranch and farm in Algerine. He was a big man, and very industrious. He owned seven businesses in Jamestown and served two terms as a county supervisor for District 3. He fathered 19 children and was known as a kind and honest man.

Many of Rocca’s descendants reside in the county to this day.

Ebay listing photo (above); courtesy photo / Tuolumne County Historical Society (right) John Rocca’s saloon, pictured at right in 1897, was located where Rocca Park is today in downtown Jamestown. A drink token from the saloon (above). Drink tokens were used to ensure patrons returned another day for another drink, and maybe a few more.