Placerville in El Dorado County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Three Unfortunates Hanged

March 5, 2022

1. Three Unfortunates Hanged Marker

Inscription. “Somewhere here lie the remains of the three unfortunates hanged in late 1849 from the oak tree in the feed corral after fair trial by the vigilantes. This incident changed the name of Dry Diggins to Hangtown.

Let us not judge them too harshly for those were the rough days of the great Gold Rush.”

Erected 1959 by The James W. Marshall Chapter No. 49, E Clampus Vitus.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1849.

Location. 38° 43.72′ N, 120° 48.178′ W. Marker is in Placerville, California, in El Dorado County. It is at the intersection of Center Street and Center Street (U.S. 50), on the left when traveling north on Center Street. The marker is across Center Street from the Placerville City Hall. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Placerville CA 95667, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Sacramento Metro,

in the Gold Country,

in the Sierra Nevada,

and in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

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It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hangmans Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); Bayles Building (1853) (within shouting distance of this marker); Branch Saloon/Bingham's Jewelrey/Seligman Building/Ewing Building (within shouting distance of this marker); John A. "Snowshoe" Thompson (within shouting distance of this marker); The Forum Café/Union Hotel/United States Trio Hall (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Snowshoe Thompson (about 300 feet away); Placerville Pony Express (about 300 feet away); Randolph Jewelers (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Placerville.

Three Unfortunates Hanged Marker - new setting image. Click for full size.

March 5, 2022

2. Three Unfortunates Hanged Marker - new setting

The marker, visible here on the right has been relocated some 70-80 feet closer to the historic site and reset into a new monument.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 2, 2008

3. Three Unfortunates Hanged Marker

Three Unfortunates Hanged Marker - old location image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 2, 2008

4. Three Unfortunates Hanged Marker - old location

Placerville, Ca c1851 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Stephen McLendon

5. Placerville, Ca c1851

Hangman's Tree can be seen at left center above the Jackass Saloon later to be known as the Hangmans Tree bar.

Hangman's Tree image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, October 30, 2005

6. Hangman's Tree

Site of the Oak Tree

Credits. This page was last revised on July 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 4,083 times since then and 118 times this year. Last updated on July 9, 2023, by Darrin McNeice of Camino, California. Photos: 1. submitted on March 11, 2022. 2. submitted on March 11, 2022, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 3, 4. submitted on November 2, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 5. submitted on February 27, 2019, by Stephen McLendon of Placerville, Calif. 6. submitted on November 2, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.