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

Hangtown’s Gold Bug Park

Photographed by Syd Whittle, May 17, 2013

1. Hangtown’s Gold Bug Park Marker

Inscription. Did you know that Gold Bug Park has nearly 100 years of gold mining history?

The 61 acres of the park include six mining claims that were once a part of the Poverty Ridge Mining District. Some of the richest deposits of the Mother Lode were found in this area. During one week in the summer of 1848, three men extracted $17,000 in gold when it was valued at $16 - $19 an ounce! By 1852 however, all but the heartiest miners had disappeared along with the easiest pickings along the creek. Hardrock mining began in the hillsides in the late 1800’s, peaking during the Depression, but continuing until World War II.

In 1965, the City of Placerville acquired the property from the Bureau of Land Management and developed it into a park. Today, the Gold Bug Park Development Committee carries on the restoration effort, and the park has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Gold Bug Park is significant because it is a perfect example of a typical neighborhood mining area. A small hardrock mine, a working ore stamp mill, hundreds of prospecting holes, and evidence of water supply ditches can all be found within the

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park boundaries.

Erected by Hangtown's Gold Bug Park - Town of Placerville.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Resources. A significant historical year for this entry is 1848.

Location. 38° 44.585′ N, 120° 47.978′ W. Marker is in Placerville, California, in El Dorado County. It can be reached from Gold Bug Lane east of Bedford Avenue. The marker is placed between the parking area and the museum/gift shop. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2500 Gold Bug Lane, 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.

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: Gold Bug, A Neighborhood Mine

Photographed by Syd Whittle, May 17, 2013

2. Hangtown’s Gold Bug Park Marker

The museum/gift shop is visible in the background.

(within shouting distance of this marker); The Stamp Mill (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Placerville (approx. 0.9 miles away); Bee-Bennett House (approx. 0.9 miles away); County of El Dorado Courthouse Restoration (approx. 0.9 miles away); Thomas Maul (approx. 0.9 miles away); a different marker also named Placerville (approx. 0.9 miles away); Emigrant Jane (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Placerville.

Entrance to the Mine image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, October 30, 2013

3. Entrance to the Mine

The "Gold Bug, A Neighborhood Mine" marker is seen in this view.

Remnant of a Water Supply Supply Ditch image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, October 30, 2013

4. Remnant of a Water Supply Supply Ditch

The Stamp Mill Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, October 30, 2013

5. The Stamp Mill Building

Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 31, 2013, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 761 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 31, 2013, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.