Auburn in Placer County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

City of Auburn

Photographed by Karen Key, November 6, 2006

1. City of Auburn Marker

Inscription. Gold discovered near here by Claude Chana May 16, 1848. Area first known as "North Fork" or "Wood's Dry Diggings". Settlement given name of Auburn in Fall of 1849. Soon became important mining town, trading post and stage terminal. County seat of Sutter County 1850 and Placer County 1851. Destroyed by fire 1855, 1859 and 1963.

State Registered Landmark No. 404

Tablet placed by California Centennials Commission
Base furnished by Placer County Historical Society
Dedicated September 23, 1950

Erected 1950 by California Centennials Commission. (Marker Number 404.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 16, 1848.

Location. 38° 53.767′ N, 121° 4.741′ W. Marker is in Auburn, California, in Placer County. It is at the intersection of Lincoln Way and Park Street, on the right

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when traveling east on Lincoln Way. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Auburn CA 95603, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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

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 5 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Fire Queen (a few steps from this marker); Claude Chana (a few steps from this marker); Historical Auburn Fire House (within shouting distance of this marker); Placer County Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); Wells Fargo Express Office – 1852 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Auburn.

Additional commentary.
1. Transcontinental Transportation
The Central Pacific Railroad's eastern terminus for many years was in Auburn. It then built east to connect with the Union Pacific at Promontory Point, Utah, becoming the western part of the first transcontinental railroad in 1869.

The early 20th century transcontinental highway U.S. Route 40 from Atlantic City, New Jersey to San Francisco ran through Auburn by 1926. Today it terminates in Utah; Interstate 80 has replaced it in California.

Photographed by Karen Key, November 6, 2006

2. City of Auburn Marker
— Submitted November 13, 2006.

Photographed by Karen Key, November 6, 2006

3. Base Plaque

Base Built and Plaque Remounted by Lord Sholto Douglas
Chapter No. 3
E Clampus Vitus
September 23, 1982

Plaque on Bench Next to Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Karen Key, November 6, 2006

4. Plaque on Bench Next to Marker

Donated by Placer County Museum Docent Guild 2004

In memory of Judith A. Ebner
1940 - 1999

Founder of Old Town Guided Walking Tours
Lost to us in Egypt Air Crash

Railroad Engine Wheel image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Karen Key, November 6, 2006

5. Railroad Engine Wheel

The stones behind are the backside of marker 404.

Photographed by Karen Key, November 6, 2006

6. Railroad Engine Wheel

Historical Landmark
Part of a Central Pacific Railroad engine wheel used by the Auburn Volunteer Fire Dept. - Late 1800's as a fire alarm gong.

Marker, Tree Plaque and Bench Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Karen Key, November 6, 2006

7. Marker, Tree Plaque and Bench Plaque

Plaque on Tree Next to Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Karen Key, November 6, 2006

8. Plaque on Tree Next to Marker

This Cedrus deodara was planted by Auburn Campfire Girls Pamela Stewart and Sharon Klein, and members of the Auburn Garden Club on Arbor Day 1959. The tree was furnished by A.V. Scheneck.

Placer County Historical Society
1991

To the memory of Placer Co. Pioneers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Karen Key, November 6, 2006

9. To the memory of Placer Co. Pioneers

"Lest We Forget"
1848 - 1913

Photographed by Karen Key, November 6, 2006

10. To the memory of Placer Co. Pioneers

Marker 404 can be seen to the left.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 7, 2019. It was originally submitted on November 13, 2006, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California. This page has been viewed 3,515 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on November 13, 2006, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.