In 1973, the oldest depot in the West moved to a new home. Ashland Station, reportedly the oldest railroad depot west of the Mississippi, was transported across Rainbow Bridge to its present location at the Folsom Interpretive Area next to the . . . — — Map (db m11153) HM
In 1849, when Black miners discovered gold at Negro Bar, a battle raged at the California Constitutional Convention over whether California would enter the Union as a "free" or "slave" state. After much debate, California eventually entered as a . . . — — Map (db m259249) HM
Seeking a better life away from the wars and instability in their homeland, thousands of Chinese left for California when news of the gold discovery arrived in Guangzhou in 1848. By the end of 1851, as many as 25,000 Chinese people, mostly men, made . . . — — Map (db m259254) HM
By the 1920's this building housed a machine
shop, superintendent's office, and automotive
garage. The superintendent oversaw the
daily operation of the power plant complex,
directing the work of both power plant and
dam operators in . . . — — Map (db m192567) HM
On July 13, 1895, the electricity generated here and transmitted to Sacramento signaled the
start of a nationwide change in the way we would light our homes and power our civilization.
As this hydroelectric power plant was the first of its kind . . . — — Map (db m192580) HM
For thousands of years, the American River has been an important place of habitation, resource gathering, and processing for the native Nisenan Maidu and Plains Miwok people. The daily lives of the Nisenan Maidu and Plains Miwok people were . . . — — Map (db m259479) HM
In 1827 “Bible Totin” Jed Smith camped here in. In 1850 these diggings became known as Negro Bar, then named Granite City after the rocks, and in 1855 Joseph Folsom lent his name to this fair city.
Also in 1855 Folsom hired Theodore . . . — — Map (db m57985) HM
Folsom Dam and Reservoir are a component of the Central Valley Project, owned and operated by the Bureau of Reclamation, Mid-Pacific Region, Central California Area Office
Construction of Folsom Dam by the Corps began in . . . — — Map (db m17644) HM
Site of stables at Western terminus of Pony Express (1860-61), later used by blacksmith shops. Adjacent after 1892 fire, was built two - story Burke's Hall, a community center. Meeting place of Granite Parlor No.83, NSGW (1886-1958).
Dedicated . . . — — Map (db m77653) HM
“Education Doth Not A Scholar Make”
Near here was the first and only college ever in Folsom. It lasted two years (1958-60). Then is closed for a lack of students. Folks probably figured they were smart enough (?).
It was . . . — — Map (db m22984) HM
Gold Rush and Railroad town Folsom became the Western Terminus of the Central Overland Pony Express on July 1, 1860. The express mail had been run by pony to and from Sacramento. Beginning on July 1, 1860, the
Sacramento Valley Railroad carried it . . . — — Map (db m5090) HM
Completion of the Sacramento Valley Railroad from Sacramento to Folsom was completed here February 22, 1856, by enthusiastic residents of both cities. The new line, 22 miles in length was commenced February 12, 1855, and was built by Theodore . . . — — Map (db m15613) HM
The Folsom Veterans Memorial honors those brave individuals who serve our country and those who have fallen in service to our country. The memorial is composed of several distinct elements.
The Flag Court pays homage to all those who have served . . . — — Map (db m15619) HM
Two miles upriver, the Folsom Water Power Company dam diverted water from the American River into a canal for delivery to this forebay. Intentionally constructed at an angle to the canal, the forebay serves a number of different functions. Wood . . . — — Map (db m192550) HM
In Memory of J. Clifton Toney
Publisher of the Folsom Telegraph
1962 – 1976
His vision resulted in the
Development of the Sutter Street Mall — — Map (db m14378) HM
The City of Folsom has a rich history beginning with the 49ers during California's great gold rush. It was the site of the west's first railroad and the world's first long-distance transmission of electricity. For thousands of years prior, the area . . . — — Map (db m192774) HM WM
Dr. Jim And Bea Kuntz came to Folsom in 1963 with their three boys Jim,
Charles, and Jeffrey. Tim, their fourth son was born in Folsom at Twin Lakes
hospital. Dr. Kuntz had just finished his residency in family practice at
Indiana University when . . . — — Map (db m192734) HM
Dedicated to the memory of
WILLIAM ALEXANDER LEIDESDORFF
Early California pioneer, civic
leader, merchant, trader, and
owner of 35,000 acre rancho
“Rio de los Americanos” in the
Folsom area.
Born 1810 in Danish West . . . — — Map (db m15617) HM
Constructed in 1897, the lower powerhouse
is designed to produce additional electricity
during periods of drought. Due to the
25-foot drop from the main powerhouse to
the lower powerhouse, the same water could
be reutilized to generate an . . . — — Map (db m192735) HM
In July 1895, this was one of the few places
in California or the United States where you
could hear the hum and buzz of industrial
scale electricity being generated. Where
only a short time ago gold miners washed
pans of gravel in search of . . . — — Map (db m194136) HM
Early in 1848 W. Sidney S. Willis (ES) and Wilford Hudson, members of the Mormon Battalion, set out from Sutter’s Fort to hunt deer. Stopping on the South Fork of the American River, they found gold. They told their story on returning to the Fort . . . — — Map (db m261795) HM
Natomas Company activities started in this area in 1857 with the acquisition of 9,000 acres from the Joseph L. Folsom estate.
Early partners engaged in water, granite quarrying, agriculture, vineyards, gold mining, hydro-electric power and . . . — — Map (db m705) HM
On April 19, 1877, the Sacramento Valley Railroad consolidated with the Folsom and Placerville
Railroad to form the Sacramento and Placerville Pailroad. All machine work was transferred
to Sacramento and the Folsom machine shop closed in 1878. In . . . — — Map (db m143782) HM
In the 1850's, Horatio Gates Livermore and later his sons, Horatio P. and Charles E. pioneered the development of ditches and dams on the American River for industry and agriculture. One historic result was Folsom Power House, which began . . . — — Map (db m706) HM
Near this spot on Alder Creek stood Prairie City, a gold rush mining town and trade center for nearby Rhoad’s Diggings, Alder Creek, and Willow Springs Hill. Mining began in 1853 after water arrived via The Natoma Water & Mining Company ditch, . . . — — Map (db m254515) HM
The site of the Prairie City Cemetery that once served the bustling gold rush town of Prairie City was located during construction of the Prairie City Road and Highway 50 Interchange in May 1997. It was used between 1853 and at least 1872 and may . . . — — Map (db m254514) HM
Successfully transmitting electricity long
distance to Sacramento required the use of
voltage step up transformers. High voltage
Alternating Current travels farther with less
loss of power. The first transformers raised the
800 volt output . . . — — Map (db m192553) HM
250 feet due west
from this point is an original corner
of the
Rancho Rio Delos
Americanos Land Grant
of 1844 and the most
Northwesterly corner
of the town site of Folsom
of 1855. On the right was the
mining camp of Negro Bar. On . . . — — Map (db m22981) HM
Directly across the river from where you are standing was once part of William Alexander Leidedorff's Rio de los Americanos land grant. Born in 181 0on the island of Saint Croix to a mother of African descent and a Danish father, Leidensdorff . . . — — Map (db m259483) HM
Rhoads Diggings, approximately 1/2-mile northwest from this site, was the location of a rich, alluvial deposit of placer gold that Thomas Rhoads kept secret, but mined with success and great historical significance. In the spring of 1846, Thomas . . . — — Map (db m261810) HM
Rhoads Diggings, approximately 1/4-mile south from this site, was the location of a rich, alluvial deposit of placer gold that Thomas Rhoads kept secret, but mined with success and great historical significance. In the spring of 1846, Thomas and . . . — — Map (db m261811) HM
Here you can see the right of way of the Sacramento, Placer and Nevada Railroad. It was designed by Theodore Dehone Judah (March 4, 1826 – November 2, 1863) as Chief Engineer. Conceived in 1854 and constructed in 1861, it ran about thirteen . . . — — Map (db m37132) HM
Completed in 1856, the Sacramento Valley Railroad from Sacramento to Folsom was one of the
first railroads constructed west of the Mississippi. The route was surveyed by Theodore Judah, a civil engineer from New York who envisioned a . . . — — Map (db m143784) HM
I would like to give you a little background on this remarkable man who began
his career at Folsom Prison in 1959. He was born on August 5, 1917,
seventeen years later Parker joined the Navy in 1934, with his fathers approval.
During his service . . . — — Map (db m192711) HM
Site of the car/carpenter shop, constructed in 1863
as a workshop where railroad cars and other
rolling stock were built. The building was demolished in 1895
and the bricks were reused at the Folsom powerhouse. — — Map (db m143683) HM
This house was built around 1915 for the railroad section superintendent and his family. From here the superintendent oversaw Folsom Junction railroad operations until the late 1950's. The superintendent's house is listed on the National Register of . . . — — Map (db m209954) HM
Over time there have been five turntables used to turn locomotives, (like the one pictured above),
around at the Folsom Rail Yard. The first turntable was put in place in 1856, with replacement
turntables constructed in 1867, 1882, 1891, and 1910. . . . — — Map (db m143675) HM
From 1856 to 1971, Folsom was a railroad town. For most of those years, the Folsom depot was the last stop from Sacramento.
Before the trains could return to Sacramento, the locomotives had to be turned around. Until 1913, they rotated . . . — — Map (db m37108) HM
FISHER is a very popular American Black Bear
who resides at the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary.
He's been a resident since 1995 and during his
years at the z0o sanctuary, he's contributed his
awesome bear skills!
Fisher was born in December, . . . — — Map (db m192705) HM
On approximately this site, a freight warehouse and depot was constructed in April 1860.
The brick freight depot measured 30 feet by 100 feet and was leased by W. L. Perkins, a merchant specializing in freight. The building was used for the storage . . . — — Map (db m143681) HM
This sacred ground is one of three revered cemeteries * Young Wo, Sam Yup-Sze Yup, and Hakka * that served the Chinese community once located just north of here. One cemetery vanished during gold dredging activites; Only the Young Wo and Sam Yup-Sze . . . — — Map (db m16243) HM
