Old Dry Diggins—Old Hangtown—Placerville

El Dorado County · Bedford and Main, Placerville · location approximate

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 mining camps and transportation terminus for the famous Comstock Lode. John M. Studebaker, Mark Hopkins, Leland Stanford, Phillip Armour, and Edwin Markham were among well-known men who contributed to Placerville's history. Also"Snowshoe" John A. Thompson, who carried from 60 to 80 pounds of mail on skis from Placerville over the Sierra to Carson Valley during winter months.

1971 register text, presented as a historical document. It uses the period's terms for Native people; the state's landmark listings still carry most of this wording, and the California Office of Historic Preservation maintains the program's current texts.

Many of these plaques have since been recast or their texts revised. The California Historical Landmarks program and its current texts are maintained by the California Office of Historic Preservation. California Office of Historic Preservation ↗

David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries

Marker data: State of California, Department of Parks and Recreation, California Historical Landmarks (1971)

More markers nearby

Hangman's Treeunder 1 mi
Studebaker's Shop (Site of)under 1 mi
Placerville—Overland Pony Express Route in Californiaunder 1 mi
Methodist Episcopal Churchunder 1 mi

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