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
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
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 Sutter Street at Wool Street, in the median on Sutter Street. Reported missing.
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
On Sutter Street, on the right when traveling north.
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
On Sutter Street at Wool Street, on the right when traveling east on Sutter Street.
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
On Sutter Street at Stafford Street, on the right when traveling south on Sutter Street.
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
On Riley Street at Scott Street, on the left on Riley Street.
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
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
Near Folsom Point Road, 0.5 miles north of Natoma Street.
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 m17637) HM
On Blue Ravine Road at Folsom Boulevard, on the left when traveling west on Blue Ravine Road.
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
On Prairie City Road, 0.1 miles north of U.S. 50, on the right when traveling north.
Site of Prairie City, mining town and center of trade in California Gold Rush days. In July, 1853, Prairie City reached the height of its prosperity, and included fifteen stores and ten boarding houses and hotels. Two stage lines operated daily. A . . . — — Map (db m10823) HM
On Prairie City Road close to U.S. 50, on the right when traveling north.
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 m10506) 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
On Sutter Street, on the left when traveling east.
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
On Sutter Street at Decatur Street, on the right when traveling west on Sutter Street.
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
On Oakdale Street, on the right when traveling north.
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
On Lakeside Way south of Folsom Dam Road, on the left when traveling south.
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
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
On Sutter Street near Decatur Street, on the right when traveling south.
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
On Leidesdorff Street, on the right when traveling west.
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
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
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
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
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
On Prison Road, 0.7 miles north of Natoma Street, on the right when traveling north.
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
