Near Placerville in El Dorado County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
The Smith Flat House
Point of Historical Interest - Eld-007
December 25, 2011
1. The Smith Flat House Marker
Inscription.
The Smith Flat House. Point of Historical Interest - Eld-007. A hotel originally built in 1853 with substantial additions including a blacksmith shop in 1863. In the cellar is the famous opening to the Blue Lead Mine. Known early as "3 Mile House" the building has served as a stage coach stop, general merchandise store, hotel, post office and community hall for 135 years. This building is perhaps the best preserved frame structure of its size in the entire Mother Lode. The earliest owner of record was Elihu Meredith who owned hotels in Coloma and on Green Valley Road. According to the Mountain Democrat, this house also served as the voting precinct headquarters from 1854 until after the turn of the century.
A hotel originally built in 1853 with substantial additions including a blacksmith shop in 1863. In the cellar is the famous opening to the Blue Lead Mine. Known early as "3 Mile House" the building has served as a stage coach stop, general merchandise store, hotel, post office and community hall for 135 years. This building is perhaps the best preserved frame structure of its size in the entire Mother Lode. The earliest owner of record was Elihu Meredith who owned hotels in Coloma and on Green Valley Road. According to the Mountain Democrat, this house also served as the voting precinct headquarters from 1854 until after the turn of the century. (Marker Number Eld-007.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.
Location. 38° 44.008′ N, 120° 45.242′ W. Marker is near Placerville, California, in El Dorado County. Marker is on Smith Flat Road west of Smith Flat School Road, on the right when traveling west. The marker is located in Smithflat, formerly known as Smith's Flat or Smith Flat, an unincorporated community on the eastern edge of Placerville, with a Placerville postal address. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2021 Smith Flat Road, Placerville CA 95667, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, December 25, 2011
2. The Smith Flat House Marker - wide view
The marker is visible here mounted on the lower-floor wall between the two windows.
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, December 25, 2011
3. The Smith Flat House - main entrance (west side)
Since 2008 the Smith Flat House has been occupied by the Smith Flat House Center for Health.
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, December 25, 2011
4. The Smith Flat House - view from west
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, December 25, 2011
5. The Smith Flat House - view from east
Credits. This page was last revised on July 31, 2018. It was originally submitted on February 11, 2012, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 1,540 times since then and 117 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 11, 2012, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
