George W. Coulter started a tent store here in early 1850 to supply the hundreds of miners working the rich placers of Maxwell, Boneyard, and Black Creeks. He also built the first hotel, water for it was pumped from a well by two Newfoundland dogs. Originally called Banderita from the flag flying over Coulter's store, the settlement became Maxwell Creek when the post office was established in 1853, but the name was changed the following year to honor Coulter. The family of Francisco Bruschi, who erected the first permanent building here, provided the town's leading merchants for over eighty years. Despite their crude methods, and with only wood for fuel, the nearby quartz mines operated for years and produced millions of dollars worth of gold, Andrew Goss built the first stamp mill for crushing their ore.

Coulterville makes the perfect day trip from the Central Valley or a great stop for a multi day adventure on the way to Yosemite National Park.

Coulterville is located only 50 miles from downtown Modesto, California!
From Highway 99 take the G Street exit, and head East toward the Sierra -Nevada Range!
At 14th Street turn Right and then continue on CA 132 (Yosemite Blvd.) all the way to Coulterville!

Once out of Modesto you will be in the country, slow down and enjoy the scenery.
After going through Empire the next stop will be the 4 way stop at the Fruit Yard, great BBQ!
Continue on past Waterford and the road gets interesting as slowly the hills get a little more rolling and the
Tuolumne River can be seen here and there before reaching the Historic Town of La Grange.
A stop at the saloon in La Grange is highly recommended, plus taking time to look at the historical buildings in the East end of town.
Lake Don Pedro is near for camping, fishing, golfing, picnicking or just taking time to look over the dam!
Continue on Highway 132 and Coulterville is just a few more miles up the road!

From Merced take CA59 to J16 (Merced Falls Road) and turn right on Highway 132 to Coulterville, about 50 miles!
From Turlock take East Avenue (J17) to CA 59 to J16 to Coulterville, about  50 miles!

Click on the Map!