California Genealogy

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

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

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

Forest Hill is situated upon the divide between the Middle Fork of the American River and Shirt Tail Canon. Its altitude is about 3,600 feet above the level of the sea. The location is beautiful, the atmosphere is pure, the water good, and the people are healthy and prosperous. The first settlement at Forest Hill was made in the fall of 1850 by M. Fannan, James Fannan and R. S. Johnson, who located there and established a trading-post. During the winter of 1850 and ’51 they- built the house now known as the ” Old Forest House.” The place, at … Read more

This Placer County directory is a great resource for anyone searching for ancestors who were in California in 1861, people are listed by town or settlement, occupation and some with street address. The small towns page is a listing of many towns that had one to eight people listed. 1861 Directory of Small Towns in Placer County California 1861 Directory of Auburn California 1861 Directory of Dutch Flat California 1861 Directory of Forest Hill California 1861 Directory of Gold Hill California 1861 Directory of Illinoistown California 1861 Directory of Iowa Hill California 1861 Directory of Michigan Bluff California 1861 Directory … Read more

Dutch Flat is situated in the northeastern part of Placer County, upon the ridge which divides the waters of Bear river from those of the North Fork of the American. The first permanent settlement at this place was made in the spring of 1851, by Joseph Doranbach. The name “Dutch” is derived perhaps from the nationality of the gentleman who has the honor of being called the pioneer settler of the place, and those who were his companions at the time; but it is difficult to conceive Of why “Flat” should be added to the word “Dutch,” in giving the … Read more