Day: June 10, 2014

In the fall of 1850, a log cabin comprised the prospective town of Ophir; situated two and a-half miles below Auburn, on the Auburn. Ravine, which during the succeeding winter grew into the fair proportions of three or four frame buildings, several log houses (?) and an indefinite number of tents and canvas coverings. The summer of 1851 nearly skeletonized the little village, but the fall and winter rains resurrected, or recreated it, and the year 1852 saw it the largest and most prosperous town in Placer County. The mining was all of placer character, and very rich ; and … Read more

Closely connected with the political history of Placer County, and partaking greatly of the nature of the party which each affected to represent, and professed to be or was really the mouth-piece of, the various newspaper enterprises of the county claim some notice in this sketch; and, in fact, it would be incomplete without it. The Placer Herald is the oldest newspaper in the county. The first number was issued on the 11th of September 1852, by T. Mitchell & Co., under the most favorable auspices, as we judge by the introductory remarks of the editor, and the liberal advertising … Read more

This flourishing mining town is situated in latitude 39°, among the Sierra Nevada Mountains, or as the words signify in English, the Snowy Saw Mountains. It is built on the top of a hill, at the bottom of which, some two miles distant, runs the North Fork of the Middle Fork of the American river, or of the Rio de Los Americanos, as it was called by the Mexicans. It is situated at an altitude of nearly 4,000 feet above the level of the sea. The climate for the greater portion of the year cannot be excelled for its beauty … Read more

Gold Hill Lodge, No. 32, F. AND A. No. 31 Organized May 5, 1853; 19 Master Masons; regular time of stated meetings First Saturday in each month. List of Officer: James E Stuart – W. M. Henry W. Starr – S. W Julius Malsh – J. W. Sam. Mcclure – T Isaac Stonecipher – S D. V. Mason – S. D. L. B. Daniels – J. D. M. Waldron – Tyler. Eureka Lodge, No. 16, F. AND A. M., of Auburn, was chartered in 1851. The officers for 1861 are: E. H. Van Decar – W. Master. Benj. C. Allen … Read more

The village of Last Chance is situated high up in the mountains, on a ridge south of the main branch of the North Fork of the Middle Fork of the American river, at an altitude of nearly five thousand feet. Diggings were discovered in the canons and gulches in the section of country in which Last Chance is situated, in the spring of 1850, but there was no permanent settlement made there until 1852. The general topography of the country is of the roughest description; the hills being precipitous, with here and there a large space of nothing in sight … Read more

Immediately connected with the history of Iowa Hill, is also the history of Independence Hill, Roach Hill, Bird’s Flat, Monona Flat, and Grizzly Flat. The rich hill diggings at those places, the discovery of which was first made at Iowa Hill, in 1853, and soon after extended to all the places above named, caused the large, populous, and flourishing town of Iowa Hill to spring up like magic, and in two years to become the principal town in the eastern part of Placer County. The first discoveries of gold made where the town of Iowa Hill now stands, was upon … Read more

Olive Lodge No. 81 Instituted December 8, A. D. 1858; meets in Masonic Hall each Wednesday night; number of members, 36. Officers of present term: L. Gross – N. G. Jno. Boke – V. G. B. F. Moore – R. Secretary. M. Davis – Per. Secretary. R. Hudepohl – Treasurer. Rev. T. H. Mcgrath – Chaplain. N. W. Blanchard – Past Grands P. B. Holmes – Past Grands A. Hart – Past Grands E. B. Boust – Past Grands Auburn Lodge, No. 7, I. O. O. F. Instituted October 2, 1852; night of meeting, Saturday; number of members, 70; location … Read more

This site is a county site for California AHGP, a state organization of the American History and Genealogy Project (AHGP). AHGP is a group of volunteers working together to provide free genealogy websites for genealogical research in every county and every state of the United States. You have apparently stumbled upon my contribution to this effort. My name is Dennis Partridge, and I am the CAAHGP county coordinator (cc) for Placer County, California. If you would like to contribute data to this website please contact me, using the comment form! The County of Placer was organized by act of the … Read more

This place is situated in a small, though beautiful valley, upon the divide between the North Fork of the American and Bear river, about eighteen miles from Auburn, and seven miles from Iowa Hill. Illinoistown is on the direct stage road from Auburn to Iowa Hill. From Illinoistown to Iowa Hill there is one of the most important turnpike roads in the county. The road is known as the “Mineral Bar” road, the grading of which could not have cost less than from $60,000 to $75,000. The hills are precipitous, and in many places the track is blasted out through … Read more

Among the prominent towns built on the banks of the Auburn Ravine, is that known as Gold Hill. As the name indicates, it is a mining village; although it receives considerable support and trade from the agriculturalists who reside below and contiguous. The town received its name from the fact that gold was discovered on the hill, which rises in a conical shape a few yards west of the main street. In the spring of 1851, about simultaneous with the discovery of gold on various hills of the State, a party of Georgia miners set out from the town of … Read more