Priest Station was originally a miner's supply store. It was purchased by the Kirkwoods in 1853. Alexander Kirkwood died in Nov 1870, leaving Margaret a young widow. Soon after (Dec 1871), Margaret married William Priest. Under Priest's ownership, Priest Station became a stagecoach stop and hotel complex. It was known for its hospitality, accommodations, and table. William Priest died in Jun 1900 and Margaret passed in Jul 1905.

Priest Grade was originally an Indian foot trail up Moccasin Hill on its northern slope before passing through a gap near its crest. Supplies and equipment were hauled up by mule to Priest Station until 1859 when the road was completed. The road allowed wagons and stage coaches to make the all-day trip up the steep grade (roughly 17-18%, but some segments reach 20%), climbing 1,540 feet in less than two miles. Grizzly Gulch laid down the steep northern slope. The new Priest Grade was built in 1915 with a 4% grade on the other side of Grizzly Gulch, but it took about 4.5 miles of twists and tight curves to reach the same point as Old Priest Grade.

In 1926, a fire destroyed everything at Priest Staion except the well, making that surviving structure the only thing that remained from the 1800s. A new house was built so after and joined by new cabins in the 1940s. In 1980s, one of the cabins was converted to a restaurant after the 1920s front house burned down. Priest Station Cafe was completely renovated and opened in August 2009.

Tuolumne County
Elevation: 2,450 ft.

Dates visited: May 1, 2020; June 26, 2020; July 17, 2020; and August 7, 2020.