Historical Markers and War Memorials in Placerville, California
Placerville is the county seat for El Dorado County
Placerville is in El Dorado County
El Dorado County(267) ► ADJACENT TO EL DORADO COUNTY Alpine County(50) ► Amador County(185) ► Placer County(211) ► Sacramento County(392) ► Douglas County, Nevada(111) ►
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On Pacific Street, 0.1 miles east of California Highway 49, on the right when traveling west.
The last remaining building
of the Gold Rush era Chinese community
in Old Hangtown
Stone House is famous
for its historical significance
as an old Chinese brothel
Restored by
John R. Berry – Attorney at Law
Architectural . . . — — Map (db m36815) HM
On Main Street at Sacramento Street, on the right when traveling east on Main Street.
This building was used as a
post office from 1854 through
1858. Famous Norwegian skier and
mailman Snowshoe Thompson
picked up his first mail here in
1856. His courage and
perseverance conquered the
impassable winter Sierra Nevada
mountains . . . — — Map (db m193324) HM
On Bee Street west of Coloma Road (California Highway 49), on the right when traveling north.
One of the oldest preserved homes of Placerville (Old Hangtown) originally built in 1853 by Col. Fred A. Bee, pioneer merchant, and enlarged in 1889 by Judge Marcus P. Bennett, early jurist, retaining redwood ornate paneling woodwork and fireplace . . . — — Map (db m42260) HM
Near Carson Road, 0.3 miles north of Schnell School Road.
This fieldstone building was built by Giovanni N. Lombardo in 1872 from stones cleared to plant vineyards on the property. The lower cellar was used to produce wine for the local community. The grapes were crushed in the upper story living room and . . . — — Map (db m101534) HM
On Main Street, 0.1 miles east of Pacific Streeet (California Route 49), on the right when traveling west.
Branch Saloon Bingham’s Jewelry Seligman Building Ewing Building Collins Auto Parts Placerville Clothing
A log building owned by C.C. Williams once stood on the western portion of this lot. In 1853 thirsty miners stopped here for a drink . . . — — Map (db m69356) HM
Near Benham Street, on the left when traveling south.
"This is called 'Dry Diggins'...More gold has been raised (here) than in any other part of California. Here we made a final stop and unloaded our wagons & felt of a truth that we had at last reached the gold mines." - P. C. Tiffany, Aug 25, 1849 — — Map (db m212359) HM
"We decided to head for Placerville and cast out lot digging gold, and we expect to pass into this place to night....We passed...a good many cradling out gold, and we are all very enthusiastic to get started" - Albert G. Paschal, Aug 18, 1859 — — Map (db m211225) HM
On Cedar Ravine Road, on the right when traveling east.
"Entered Pleasant Valley in which are established several trading posts....We moved on and...descended into a valley in which is situated a few log huts & 1 tavern. This place is named Ring(g)old." James G. Shields, Aug 13, 1850 — — Map (db m211169) HM
These headstones, removed from their gravesites as a result of vandalism, were found throughout the county on roadsides and in backyards. The headstones have been given a temporary resting site, here, until their rightful places can be located. — — Map (db m13613) HM
On Main Street west of Bedford Street, on the right when traveling west.
Erected in 1860, this part of City Hall housed the Confidence Engine Company which was originally formed as The Mountaineer Engine Company. When flames engulfed most of the town in 1856, concerned citizens of Placerville realized that even the best . . . — — Map (db m35540) HM
On Main Street west of Bedford Street, on the right when traveling west.
This building was erected in the Fall of 1860 for Confidence Engine Company No.1, organized in June 1857. City government located here since 1902. — — Map (db m35546) HM
Board of Supervisors
John M. Caswell – District 1, William V.D. Johnson – District 2, Thomas M. Goodloe, Jr. – District 3, Raymond E. Lawyer, Chairman – District 4, Gerald E. Martin – District 5.
Robert Mason, . . . — — Map (db m12755) HM
On Main Street at Stage Coach Alley, on the right when traveling west on Main Street.
Fisher’s Oasis Coffee House and Wadsworth’s Chicago Dining Saloon occupied this site from 1851- 1855. In 1853 F.A. Bee, founder of the Placerville Herald, printed his short-lived newspaper here. Early pioneer doctors, Harvey and Sholer and . . . — — Map (db m65253) HM
The antique bricks that were used on the façade of this building were originally used to build the “Dougalss – Hines” Building.
The “Douglass – Hines” Building stood where the Fountain Plaza now stands at 312 . . . — — Map (db m13144) HM
[Marker located on right planter stand on walkway of entrance to Monument:]
El Dorado County
Veterans Monument
Dedicated on Veterans Day
November 11, 2006
By
The Friends of the Monument
And
The Grateful Citizens
Of . . . — — Map (db m21750) WM
The Gold Bug is like the thousands of small mines that once dotted the Sierra foothills. Surprisingly enough, most of the digging in this mine occurred in the 1920’s and 30’s, and not during the Gold Rush. Mines like this were worked by small . . . — — Map (db m69863) HM
This city in the days of ’49
was called
“Hangtown”
This was the site of Elstner’s Hay Yard on which stood the ‘Hangman’s Tree’ where vigilantes executed many men for various crimes. The stump of the tree is under this . . . — — Map (db m10504) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m69861) HM
The Masonic Building was built by S.G. Beach and Company in the fall of 1893 for the Placerville Masonic Hall Association, using 85,000 first quality bricks shipped from Sacramento. It housed some of the finest legal talent in the county, attorneys . . . — — Map (db m35590) HM
On Thursday, June 30, 1864 at about 10 PM two west-bound stage coaches of the Pioneer Stage Company were held up and the passengers robbed at gun-point at a location approximately 15 miles east of Placerville.
The bandits demanded and obtained . . . — — Map (db m13150) HM
On Main Street at Clay Street, on the left when traveling east on Main Street.
Boarders and guests of the Cedar Ravine House that once stood two doors up the street purchased groceries and provisions here from 1853 to 1856. Proprietor N.C. Fassett sold a variety of goods from beans to brandy, candy to coffee, lard to lead, . . . — — Map (db m65252) HM
Near Carson Road, 0.3 miles east of Union Ridge Road.
Whose deep concern for the conservation and improvement of our forests led him to establish the Eddy Tree Breeding Station on this site in 1925. His own effort and funds created this oldest forest genetics research institution in the Western . . . — — Map (db m105854) HM
On Sacramento Street at Main Street, on the right when traveling north on Sacramento Street.
This statue commemorates the life
and career of Norwegian American pioneer
and skier, John A. Snowshoe Thompson, who
by his courage and perseverance conquered
the impassable winter Sierra Nevada
mountains to carry mail, medicine and
supplies . . . — — Map (db m193400) HM
Near Benham Street, on the left when traveling south.
"We have come four miles and come to a flourishing little town in the mountains. The original name of this town is Placerville.... Men are diging [sic] here in the middle of the streets in search of gold." - William H. Kilgore. Aug 5, 1850 — — Map (db m212362) HM
Re-Dedicated July 1, 1986
To The Memory of
Joseph M. Staples
El Dorado County Deputy Sheriff
Who Was Killed In The Line
Of Duty July 1, 1864 — — Map (db m13970) HM
F.A. Gerbode began construction of this building for W.A. (Will) Fairchild in 1903. Family legend says that when excavation began, enough gold was found to finance the project which totaled $16,000. The building’s two stories, much like today, . . . — — Map (db m35579) HM
Erected in 1851, Oldest church building in El Dorado County. It originally stood on the corner of Cedar Ravine and Main Street. The Ponderosa Pine beams are hand hewn. First church bell was purchased from the sailing ship . . . — — Map (db m143485) HM
On Main Street west of Bedford Avenue, on the right when traveling west.
Morning Star Lodge #20 was instituted February 9, 1854. The Lodge met for several years on the second floor of a 48 x 24 foot hillside building near here. In 1859, the members erected a building on this site. On May 15th, 1910, a fire started in the . . . — — Map (db m35518) HM
On Coloma Street (State Hwy 49) at Bee Street, on the left when traveling north on Coloma Street (State Hwy 49).
[Marker facing Bee Street]
Placerville
Known as Hangtown
In the days of “49”
to
Sutter’s Fort
Sacramento
50 Miles
[Marker facing Coloma Street-State Hwy . . . — — Map (db m16024) HM
On Main Street at Bradford Street, on the right when traveling west on Main Street.
Established on banks of “Hangtown” Creek as rich mining camp in spring of 1848. Millions in gold were taken from its ravines and hills. Supply center for surrounding mining camps and transportation terminus for famous Comstock Lode. John M. . . . — — Map (db m12732) HM
On Main Street at Sacramento Street, on the right when traveling east on Main Street.
Gold Rush town and Western Terminus of the Placerville – Carson Road to the Comstock. Placerville was a relay station of the Central Overland Pony Express, April 4, 1860 – June 30, 1861. Here on April 4, 1860 the first east-bound pony . . . — — Map (db m57973) HM
Near Main Street (State Highway 49) near Pacific Street (State Highway 49), on the left when traveling east.
Dedicated to the memory of all those veterans,
down through the years, who fought so valiantly
for their country.. Those who returned..
and those that did not.
From one who did not return from “Desert Storm”
Sgt. J. Scott . . . — — Map (db m35524) WM
On Main Street west of California Highway 49, on the right when traveling west.
Site of original
Raley’s Grocery Store
opened on February 16, 1935
by
Thomas P. Raley, Founder of
“Raley’s Super Markets
&
Drug Centers” — — Map (db m35508) HM
On Main Street west of California Highway 49, on the right when traveling west.
Owned and operated by the
Ray Gier Family
From 1946 to 1955
Owned and operated by the Bing Peterson
and Thomas C. Smith Families
From 1955 to 1967 — — Map (db m35510) HM
On Main Street at Sacramento Street, on the right when traveling east on Main Street.
A Viking Son of Norway who fulfilled California’s motto:
“Bring Me Men To Match My Mountains”
For twenty winters from 1858 to 1878 he was the lifeline between Utah Territory across the Sierras, and the new state of California. . . . — — Map (db m12750) HM
Born Nebraska 1887. Educated Biltmore Forest School, North Carolina. Began career 1908 in California with U.S.F.S.
Major U.S. Army A.E.F. 1917 – 1919
General Manager
Michigan California Lumber Co. 1925 – 1949
California State . . . — — Map (db m57974) HM
On Main Street at Cedar Ravine Road, on the right when traveling east on Main Street.
The Druids of California
Erected
This Memorial
to
Frederick Sieg
Who Instituted
the Order
in this State
A. D. 1859
Presented to the City of Placerville
Sept. 5, 1926 — — Map (db m16460) HM
Saloons and gambling halls provided the main form of entertainment for miners during the gold rush. One of Old Hangtown’s largest gaming halls, The United States Trio, once stood on this site. Owner and entrepreneur, Benjamin Nickerson, first . . . — — Map (db m65251) HM
On Coloma Road (State Highway 49) at Red Shack Oak Road on Coloma Road.
On this site stood the Luse Ditch Flume carrying water from Placerville to the ranching and mining operations in the eastern Gold Hill area. The ditch and flume system was managed by George and John Luse from 1920 to 1924. This structure is believed . . . — — Map (db m437) HM
In 1852 Phillip L. Platt preempted a ½ quarter section here. He erected a log building for the lodging of miners. He named his hotel The Kossuth House. Dr. Platt died in 1853. His widow sold the property to Anna W. Clark for $200 in 1856. She . . . — — Map (db m13165) HM
On Smith Flat Road west of Smith Flat School Road, on the right when traveling west.
A hotel originally built in 1853 with substantial additions including a blacksmith shop in 1863. In the cellar is the famous opening to the Blue Lead Mine. Known early as "3 Mile House" the building has served as a stage coach stop, general . . . — — Map (db m52512) HM
Local residents remember that the thunderous crashing staccato of the ore stamp mill could be heard for miles in the narrow canyon. The song of the stamps had been a familiar sound in this area for since George Cozens erected the first mill here in . . . — — Map (db m69864) HM
On Center Street at Center Street (U.S. 50), on the left when traveling north on Center Street.
“Somewhere here lie the remains of the three unfortunates hanged in late 1849 from the oak tree in the feed corral after fair trial by the vigilantes. This incident changed the name of Dry Diggins to Hangtown.
Let us not judge them too harshly . . . — — Map (db m227884) HM
On Main Street at Clay Street, on the right when traveling west on Main Street.
First operated by Elias Parker, only Gold Rush hotel still standing in Placerville. Used as the Placerville Academy School from 1871 – 1894. Dedicated May 6, 1962, by Marguerite Parlor No.12, Native Daughters of the Golden West on their 75th . . . — — Map (db m12760) HM
