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

Georgetown

Photographed by Syd Whittle, October 28, 2005

1. Georgetown Marker

Inscription. Founded August 7, 1849 by George Phipps and party. Nicknamed Growlersburg from the heavy nuggets that “growled” in the miners’ pans. Georgetown was the hub of an immensely rich gold area. After the disastrous fire of 1852 the old town was moved from the canyon in lower Main Street to its present site. Unique in early day planning, Main Street was laid out 100 feet wide and side streets 60 feet. Population was 3,000 in 1854 – 56.

Erected 1951 by California Centennials Commission, Base by Georgetown Divide Rotary Club. Dedicated October 20, 1951 by Georgetown Divide Rotary Club and James W. Marshall Chapter, E Clampus Vitus. (Marker Number 484.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Places • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, the E Clampus Vitus, and the Rotary International series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1849.

Location. 38° 54.397′ N, 120° 50.336′ W. Marker is in Georgetown, California, in El Dorado County. It is on Lower Main Street (aka Wentworth Springs Road), on the right when traveling south. Marker is located at the Georgetown Fire Station.

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Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6281 Wentworth Springs Road, Georgetown CA 95634, 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.

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: Georgetown Volunteer Firemen (here, next to this marker); Chief Jack Anderson (here, next to this marker); Georgetown Firehouse (here, next to this marker); Miners Club (within shouting distance of this marker); Georgetown - Pride of the Sierras (within shouting distance of this marker); Georgetown Blues (within shouting distance of this marker); Jonathan Davis (within shouting distance of this marker); Growlersburg Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9241 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Georgetown.

Regarding Georgetown. This site is a California Registered Historical Landmark (No. 484).

Georgetown Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, October 28, 2005

2. Georgetown Markers

Dedication to Georgetown Volunteer Firefighters image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, October 28, 2005

3. Dedication to Georgetown Volunteer Firefighters

See Georgetown Volunteer Firemen marker

Chief Jack Anderson Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, October 28, 2005

4. Chief Jack Anderson Marker

See Chief Jack Anderson marker

Georgetown Hotel image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, October 28, 2005

5. Georgetown Hotel

Vintage Postcard - Main Street, Georgetown image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Eastman's Studio, Susanville, Ca

6. Vintage Postcard - Main Street, Georgetown

Postcard description: Originally known as Growlersburg, because of the large nuggets which growled in the miners pans, this quaint town retains much of the old charm. Many of its buildings retain the iron doors and other features of Gold Rush architecture.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 31, 2018. It was originally submitted on September 11, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,861 times since then and 65 times this year. Last updated on July 30, 2012, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 11, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.