El Dorado County, California

200th Anniversary of James W. Marshall's Birth A Room with a View A Rustic Retreat: The Baldwin Estate American House Hotel American River Inn Anita Gibson & Dextra Cabins Baldwin House & Tallac Museum Balsar House / I.O.O.F Hall Bayles Building (1853) Bee-Bennett House Beer Garden Bekeart’s Gun Shop Boeger Winery Branch Saloon/Bingham's Jewelrey/Seligman Building/Ewing Building Bullion Bend Robbery Cabin of James Marshall California’s First Grange Hall Camp Site of Boston-Newton Party Capt. William E. Shannon Cemetery of Lost Souls Chief Jack Anderson Chinese Miners of the Mother Lode Chinese Stores Civil War Armory Coloma Coloma Breweries Coloma Greys Coloma Post Office Coloma Schoolhouse Coloma’s Largest Brick Store Coloma’s Pioneer Cemetery Confidence Engine Company Confidence Hall County Courthouse County of El Dorado Courthouse Restoration Da ow a ga – Lake Tahoe Davis and Roy News Depot / Shelley Inch Building / Placerville News Company Diamond Springs Diamond Springs I.O.O.F. No. 09 Lodge Hall Discover the Tallac Historic Site Douglass – Hines Building Bricks Du Roc House Dukehart’s Barbershop and Bathhouse El Dorado El Dorado (Mud Springs) El Dorado County Jails El Dorado County Veterans Monument Emigrant Jane Emmanuel Church Enjoy the View from Inspiration Point Fannette Island Fountain and Tallman Soda Works Georgetown Georgetown - Pride of the Sierra / Growlersburg / E Clampus Vitus Georgetown Blues Georgetown Community United Methodist Church Georgetown Firehouse Georgetown Hotel Georgetown School Georgetown Volunteer Firemen Georgia Slide Gold Bug, A Neighborhood Mine Greenwood Hangmans Tree Hangtown’s Gold Bug Park Hiram No.43 Masonic Building History of Old Town Center In Memory of the Bravery of Our Pioneer Officers In Respectful Memory of Joseph M. Staples J. Wonderly House / N.C. Fassett Groceries & Provisions / Burn & McBride / Lofty Lou’s Yarn Shop James D. Rinehart James G. Eddy James Skinner Winery & Distillery James W. Marshall James W. Marshall James Wilson Marshall Jenkinson Lake John (Snowshoe) Thompson John A. "Snowshoe" Thompson John Mohler Studebaker Jonathan Davis Joseph M. Staples Kane House Latrobe Latrobe Elementary School Logging in El Dorado County Lower Fairchild Building Lucky's Legacy Methodist Episcopal Church Metropolitan Saloon and Bowling Alley Miners Club Miner’s Cabin Mining Ditches Monroe Family Homestead Monroe House Moore’s (Riverton) Mormon Cabin Mormon Island Relocation Cemetery Mormon Tavern Morning Star #20 I.O.O.F Lodge Building Mountain Quarries Railroad Bridge Odd Fellows Hall Odd Fellows Hall Old Coloma Road Osgood's Toll House Papini House Partners In History Pine Lodge-Erhman Mansion Pioneer Cemetery Placerville Placerville Placerville Hardware Placerville Pony Express Pleasant Grove House Prairie City Cemetery Randolph Jewelers Riding into the Winner's Circle Riverton Bridge Robert Bell's Store Saint John’s Cemetery Schulze House Sgt. J. Scott Lindsay Shannon Knox House Site of Coloma’s Law Offices Site of Echo Summit Site of Original Raley’s Grocery Store Site of Placerville Drive In Market Site of Sierra Nevada House Site of Wintermantel’s Miner’s Hotel Snowshoe Thompson South Lake Tahoe Library Veterans Memorial Sportsman’s Hall St. James Catholic Church Sterlingshire "Stone House" Strawberry Valley House Supporting a Life of Ease Sutter Mill Cemetery – 1848 Sutter Mill Replica Sutter Mill Timbers Sutter’s Mill Site Swift Berry Tahoe By Car The American Hotel The California Gold Rush The Coloma Road The Coloma Road The Druid Monument The Dysfunctional Organization (TDO) The Forum Café / Union Hotel / United States Trio Hall / The Forum Café / The Blue Bell Café The Greenwood School House The Hermit of Emerald Bay The Josephine Mine Cemetery The Log Cabin The Luse Ditch Flume (1920-1924) The Mormon Emigrant Trail The Old Vet’s Building "The Only Way to See Lake Tahoe" The Pony Express The Pony Express - Sportsman's Hall The Pope Estate The Rubicon The Smith Flat House The Stamp Mill The Tailrace Thomas Maul Three Unfortunates Hanged Upper Central House Veterans Memorial Vikingsholm – A Scandinavian Castle Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Farm Colony Webster’s Welcome to the Historic Tallac Resort Weller House Weller’s Store Wells Fargo Building Winters’ Hotel Yank’s Added Station Yank’s Station “Gold Boys Gold”
El Dorado County, located in Northern California, has a rich and diverse history that stretches back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Nisenan, Miwok, and Maidu peoples, who thrived in the region's abundant natural resources.

The arrival of European settlers in the 1840s brought significant changes to the area. James W. Marshall's discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill in 1848 triggered the California Gold Rush, and El Dorado County quickly became a popular destination for prospectors. Towns like Coloma sprung up practically overnight, as thousands rushed to find their fortunes in the gold fields.

As the Gold Rush waned, El Dorado County still played a crucial role in California's history. The area became known for its rich agricultural lands and scenic beauty, attracting settlers who sought to establish themselves as ranchers and farmers. The California Trail, a major passage for pioneers migrating westward, also ran through the county during this time.

In the 20th century, El Dorado County saw continued growth and development. The county's natural beauty and proximity to the state capital, Sacramento, made it an attractive location for residential and recreational opportunities. Today, El Dorado County is a vibrant community that blends its historical charm with modern amenities, drawing in both locals and visitors alike.
Brief timeline of the history of El Dorado County, California:

  • 1848: Gold is discovered in Coloma, leading to the California Gold Rush.
  • 1850: El Dorado County is established on February 18 as one of California's original 27 counties.
  • 1851: Diamond Springs becomes the county seat.
  • 1854: Placerville becomes the county seat, a position it holds to this day.
  • 1856: The El Dorado County Courthouse is constructed in Placerville.
  • 1864: Folsom State Prison opens, providing employment opportunities for residents.
  • 1876: The Central Pacific Railroad reaches El Dorado County, boosting economic development.
  • 1888: The Southern Pacific Railroad extends its line to Placerville.
  • 1901: The El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce is established.
  • 1928: The El Dorado County Historical Society is founded to preserve the county's heritage.
  • 1955: The El Dorado National Forest is established.
  • 1961: Lake Tahoe becomes a major tourist destination for the county.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of El Dorado County, California.

Audiobooks about the history of California.