It serves as the gateway to South Lake Tahoe and the El Dorado National Forest. Placerville has a variety of shops and galleries on Main Street as well as many historical buildings.
Placerville is centrally located between Sacramento and South Lake Tahoe along highway 50 and the junction of highway 49. Placerville’s heritage is reflected in the historical, nineteenth century architecture of its downtown buildings.
The history of Placerville began with the "rush for gold" to California in the 1840’s. With the huge influx of fortune seekers from around the world came an increasing population of unsavory characters committing all sorts of despicable deeds, from robbery to murder. Originally called Dry Diggins, it became known as Hangtown in 1849, as much of the justice being served was at the end of a rope.
The Hangman Tree building is believed to be built directly over the stump of the infamous Hanging Tree. There are rumors that there is a fairly sociable resident ghost. Like many spots in Placerville, this one has had many owners and many uses.
The Cary House Hotel, was established in 1857. The old building was replaced with another three story building in 1915. In 1926 it was remodeled and the name changed to the Raffles Hotel. The fourth story was added in 1931. In 1978 it was purchased by the Milton family who at that time changed the name back to The Cary House. The lobby contains a display of interesting historic items.
An important historic landmark that still remains on Main Street is the Bell Tower, standing as a monument to the city’s volunteer firemen. The Bell, placed in the tower in the plaza in 1865, was used as an alarm system to call out the firefighters.
The Placerville Hardware Store is the oldest continuously operating hardware store west of the Mississippi. You can get practically anything there! The Pearson Soda Works, was built in 1859. This is one of several buildings in town thought to have several ghosts. One of the ghost is said to live in an abandoned mine shaft in back of the building. This shaft was used to store ice in the days before refrigeration. Next door is the Cedar Ravine Stable Building built in 1864.
One of the major historical attractions in Placerville is Gold Bug Mine, established as the Hattie in 1888. This mine is typical of neighborhood hard rock quartzmines in the Mother Lode. The Priest Mine, dating back to 1849, can be toured by special arrangement. It has a dirt floor and isn't lit, so flashlights, hard hats, and a tour guide are required.
A short distance from Gold Bug Mine stands the Joshua Hendy Stamp Mill, where miners pulverized and processed the gold ore from the mines in the area. The eight stamps on the mill, weighing a reported 2,500 pounds each, could be heard on Main Street when they were crushing ore.
Serving as a "hub" for many nearby destinations and activities, Placerville is well situated. Premier wineries, Apple Hill, Historic Coloma, the American River, and the El Dorado National Forest are all located within minutes of downtown Placerville. Placerville is also the gateway to the beautiful Lake Tahoe basin. |
