Visiting Historic Placerville in California's Mother Lode Country

Join Jeff and Sarah as they visit Main Street in historic Placerville, California, where gold miners descended upon this area of El Dorado County to strike it rich as early as 1848. On this episode of "History Hunters"Jeff will explain why the town had an early reputation of lawlessness.
#placerville #goldrush #historyhunters #jbenziggy

[@mendyclarke2650]

I was born in Placerville and still live here. I'll be 50 on Saturday.

[@jbenziggy]

Mendy Clarke it looks like a great place to live! Thanks for sharing!

[@HistoryHunterSarah]

Happy Birthday! Thank you for watching!

[@mendyclarke2650]

@@HistoryHunterSarah thanks a bunch!!

[@jeannebalderston2051]

I was born there too and have here since 1984

[@jeannebalderston2051]

Happy birthday to you

[@historicpropowner]

My 3rd g-grandfather made the trek from Missouri to pan for gold in 1850 in nearby Diamond Springs. I've never been there (it's on my bucket list). Thank you so much for these videos of California history. Really fascinating stuff! Great job!!

[@christinereinhart2111]

My 4 time great grandpa was a 49 there. His from Ohio and came back very wealthy

[@branon6565]

Old Hang Town, my Aunt lived there for 30yrs, so I spent a lot of time in Placerville, and Pollock Pines...Thomas Kinkaide, famous painter who's known as "the painter of light", called Placerville home for many years...

[@robertchilders8698]

My mind must have gone ! I couldn't recognize hardly anything! seems the whole town turned into a remodeled museum. Thomas Kincade was a teenage artist when I was there:! totally unknown! What ever happened to the Lyers Club? Moved to Rancho Cordova- 1960!

[@nadiazahroon6573]

California is beautiful. With a wonderful rich history. Thank you.

[@jbenziggy]

It really is!

[@BrenSobolspage]

Behind Soda Works is the entrance to a mine into the hill behind the store. They probably didn't tell you that but it is there. Many of the stores backed up to that hill had entrances to those old mines. On the other side of highway 50 is Good Bug mine. It is a park but there is a mine there too. I was born in Placerville. It will always be home no matter where life takes me.

[@nicholassteel5529]

BrenSobolspage So the gold was found right there in town? Under the streets and buildings?

[@robertwolfe2971]

Goldbug mine.

[@robertwolfe2971]

You could take a mine tour at the goldbug.state park.

[@robertwolfe2971]

I use to buy mining gear at the hardware store.i think it's true value hardware store.

[@robertwolfe2971]

You could find gold in most gold in any rivers and creeks anyware in the area.their is a creek running right though town and yes theirs gold in it if you could get down to it .just like all rivers creeks.all up and down the golden highway.Highway 49 was built to get the miners to all the major goldmine in the motherlode country.

[@brianfergel2229]

My grandmother always called it sodie-water. She came outta Pickle, Texas (which has now been consumed by Houston).

[@Daniellex1818]

I used to work at The Bank of America right there off main st in Placerville for years ... I walked up and down those streets on my lunch break for years and there’s so much deep history and nostalgia there ..... I love placerville!!

[@jeannebalderston2051]

I probably meet you I used to Bank there from 1987 till 2003

[@Daniellex1818]

@@jeannebalderston2051 Aw well unfortunately no I was still in High school in 2003. I started there at the bank in 2014! But you probably knew my friend and co worker Lisa who’s been there for a very long time !!

[@2008israelramos]

I just stopped at Placerville on a whim 2 days ago after leaving Lake Tahoe. I didn't have time to do much, but I was impressed with what I saw. They had a real nice historic downtown along with a few pie shops, some craft brew places, and an old-time diner. I'll be back one day and I'll plan a full day or 2 to enjoy the historic downtown.

[@Juliereign1]

My sister lives here and when I visit we always hit the hardware store because it's filled with all kinds of old fashion stuff and decor for the home. My daughter and I stayed at the Cary House years ago. I was waiting to hear you mention more of it's history and show the original elevator still in use. There is also the original piano near the elevator with monument explaining the stories of why the hotel is claimed to be haunted. We hadn't read the monument until after our one night stay. I can be a true witness (Or rather my daughter can) because I went without her to my family gathering as my daughter was not feeling well. She stayed and went to sleep. When I returned a few hours later, she woke up and asked me if I had removed her pants, folded them and placed at the end of her bed. I laughed because she is full grown adult and I would not even attempt to undress her. We knew she did not undress herself nor does she ever fold her clothes so neatly. Sick or no sick, we understood the story displayed on the haunting of The Cary House! No lie ... Check it out

[@bertgroeneveld57]

So nice to see this place again ! Used to live nearby in Shingle Springs before moving to Mexico and then Europe (were I grew up) Placerville was always a great place to visit. Getting ribs at nearby Poor Red's, eating ice cream, visiting Sutter's Mill, etc. etc. Hangman's tree, the Bell tower, all so familiar. Thanks for posting.

[@lornahardin4563]

This is my neck of the woods for 48 years and Jeff, you are so right about the ugly C & H building. Ugly inside too, but the people are great. They have been trying to take out the Druid monument and put in a stupid roundabout, but the citizens got up in arms and and to my knowledge we won and it is not happening. So sad someone always wants to tear out history.

[@beastmanga]

Im so addicted to your channel. I live in sheffield in the UK and i have learn't so much from your content thank you and keep up all the great work.

[@AmiJurgl]

Yesterday, on impulse, I stopped my scooter just long enough to read an historical marker in a meadow a few miles east of Woodfords. It marked the property that Snowshoe Thompson owned and the place where he died. A beautiful meadow with a view of Markleville Pk. to the west.

[@jbenziggy]

Awesome! And I hope to get over to Snowshoe's grave in Nevada very soon! Thanks for sharing! (Jeff)

[@renelange1976]

Thanks for the interesting tour. I grew up in Nevada so it's fun to see some of these historic places in the old west from the comfort of home!

[@jbenziggy]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@debrajeanalmeda7251]

I was born inside of Sacramento CA Sutter health and I'm 8 and I live in swans buro right next to Placerville its a nice placebut I have nosey neighbors but still a great place

[@davidperrin8843]

I lived in Camino up the hill from Placerville in one of the houses that Thomas Kincade painted, apple hill is awesome in the fall with all the bake shops, also worked at a plumbing and electrical shop in Placerville one day a man walked in and showed me a 4" GOLD nugget he found metal detecting in the creek that runs though down town, still lot's of gold there.

[@campfire52]

Your videos just keep getting better and better. I just keep loving them more and more. Thank you so much for lugging your cameras around to these locations and putting your heart and soul into creating such wonderful masterpieces. I hope that you two enjoy making these videos because I sure enjoy watching them. See you on the next one!

[@jbenziggy]

campfire52 thank you very much! Your comments are very much appreciated! I don’t know if they are masterpieces I appreciate the fact that you think they are! You encourage me to push past the naysayers!

[@carlupthegrove262]

I've been to Placerville many many times, having lived in the foothills, but you have highlighted things I've never seen. Thanks.

[@jasonsmith7338]

We moved to Placerville about 6 years ago, and have absolutely loved it ever since. It's an island of sanity in a sea of covid crazy... and downtown is a great place to take friends who come up for a visit. Thanks Jeff, for doing a great job capturing some of our local history... great job!! Hopefully you stopped and grabbed a burger at Brick's while you were here. :)

[@butreallydoh8133]

That's cool! How would you say the job market looks over there? Have lived in CA all my life but am looking for a smaller town. I'm not one into night life or much of that, but I do enjoy outdoors and simple outings. Do you have any tips or suggestions for someone interested? Thank you!

[@michellerangel7604]

Very interesting. I moved to Placerville 4 years ago and I still learned a lot.

[@jbenziggy]

Great! Glad you liked our video! Placerville is a very nice place!

[@kcgunkerstein5061]

The reason i like your videos Jeff is because you are so well researched. This is my favorite video to date! And why would the hotel owners not have the guest book open to the page that Buffalo Bill signed??? I'm going to have to have a talk with the owners of that hotel... I've never explored Placerville, just stop real quick to get supplies on our way to fires around the area- i'll have to go back and walk around. Thanks Jeff, i really enjoy all the hard work that you put into your videos.

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you for acknowledging my work! It is a labor of love! The hotel people told me that the Buffalo Bill signature page was getting faded but I'm not sure if that's just a story. LOL

[@philcox3671]

Great video, love them old town's thanks Jeff and Sarah

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks Phil! Much appreciated!

[@terribethreed8464]

Studebaker wagons were used as Chuck Wagons on cattle drives.

[@brianmcginty5837]

I visited Placerville for the first time with my mother, many years ago. This is a great view of the old town and a wonderful explanation of its historical importance. Thanks. Your series is great!

[@hangemhigh64lv]

Never knew it was so historic. Another great video. Thank you

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks a bunch! Much appreciated!

[@raynonabohrer5624]

I enjoy this very much. Great video. God bless you all. Be careful.

[@prestonmoore2209]

When I was a kid we could still see movies in the old theater.

[@shelleyUSATX]

I love these old, small towns. I live in one myself.

[@themiccrazy]

Placerville is my favorite place to go! As a kid we would come here every October for Apple Hill

[@alikat_666]

Apparently you don’t live there. It is riddled with drugs and scumbags

[@debrajeanalmeda7251]

@@alikat_666 it does not have people like that and thousands of people live there its a nice place to live and has alot of good people

[@Whimsey6]

Great video of my hometown! Growing up, it was just a picturesque small town, but it's nice to see how it's been revitalized. Main Street is filled with cool shops and places of historical interest. Lots of ghosts, too. Both the Carey House and the bookstore are haunted. Hope you were able to check out the alley that runs behind the buildings on the south side of Main St. That was the Red Light District, and when I was a kid some of the old cribs were still occupied.

[@slimpickins6557]

Empire Theater-Watched many a movie there.I’m coming up on 69 in May. Now outside of Anchorage in Wasilla ,Ak. Thanks for your time and effort.Settled in Pville area back in 1952.

[@sunneskye9854]

Slim....do you remember any of the ranchers names frum 1950s, there? Alas, did you go to school there @ that time? Thank you!

[@KeenPotato]

Awesome! Grew up in orangevale and have worked up in Placerville for years. It wasn’t until recently that I have started to really respect and appreciate the history around us up here.

[@sylvialower7120]

Thank You for the tour this is one of my favorite towns and now I see how much I missed! Got to go back!

[@canaryphaeochannel]

Thanks Jeff and Sarah for the great tour

[@pamelabuczkowske7294]

I have two distant cousins buried in the near by cemetery who lived in the area. Harold and Leroy Warren. They both died in 1960.

[@modestoca25]

interesting video, I didn't know about all those buildings that are no longer there. It is a shame they tear down these beautiful old buildings and erect ugly plain ones...

[@gypseekayandGee]

I am from the South, and we have Our historical places, so it is interesting to see historical places of the West. Thank you so much for sharing History with a positive attitude!

[@jbenziggy]

You are welcome! Thanks for the nice compliments!

[@terribethreed8464]

You have to remember that concrete is 1800's concrete a different recipe for concrete that we use today.

[@RunawayGranny]

your so much better than a history book that is probably wrong .... thanks so much.

[@jbenziggy]

That is so nice to hear! Thank you very much!

[@jampasurprenant1794]

California is a big beautiful states. I never been there. Thank you for Bring the state and the history documentary to Us here at home . I appreciate you .

[@lindawoody8501]

My Great Great Grandmother's first cousins were gold rush miners in Placerville during the California Gold Rush years. They later went on to Virginia City and made a fortune in silver mining, real estate ventures and the railroad. One of the men's cousins also made a fortune in cattle and water rights in the San Joaquin Valley near Fresno.

[@SusanGK1]

My husband and have visited a few places you two have featured. Placerville will be our next adventure.

[@gardeniagonzalez3059]

After just 3 videos, I was hooked! I had to subscribe. Very informative and detailed. Thanks for bringing history back.

[@maureengill6031]

Jeff, I love your choice of background music! It really adds to your videos! My favorite songs are the western or country ones with banjo music. The music of the 20’s and 30’s are great for the Golden Years of old movie graves.

[@robroiboi]

I've driven through Hangtown when that "Hanging Tree" with it's lynched hombre swinging in the breeze was still there

[@jbenziggy]

That must have been some time ago! I wonder when the tree came down finally?

[@jackiejohnson8609]

Excellent video. Jeff you have a great voice for your history channel documentary and you and Sarah present yourself very well. Sarah your adorable. Keep up the great work! Years ago I worked at a radio station where I live and that was a great experience. I started watching different KZbin channels and not everyone can do what you both do. Thank you! I’m new to your channel 👍

[@jbenziggy]

Wow that made my day! Thank you so very much for being so supportive! We appreciate the kind words you left us!

[@SlyCircle]

Great video, thank you. But I am sad that you made no mention of Sly Park, as it's named after my gggggreat Grandpa James Calvin Sly.

[@naybur74]

love that old town history!

[@MzzzNettie]

Placerville is a great little town! I just love Placerville Hardware, whatever it is you're looking for you can probably find there. I never really have taken the time to read all the monument plaques, I guess that's something I will have to do.

[@jbenziggy]

Yes fortunately we got to see the town before the lock-down. I think we were there in February. Thanks for watching! This episode was run by the local cable access channel in Placerville!

[@mov1ngforward]

Had the pleasure of binge watching some of your videos Sunday afternoon. Truly enjoyable and my friend said you were very thorough and entertaining. Thank you!

[@jbenziggy]

Awesome! Thank you! It's nice to hear positive things over the din of the naysayers any KZbinr attracts! Thanks very much!

[@sandradee8880]

Lol at first I thought was Sarah messing with the bell because she’s always looking at everything and observing it.

[@sunneskye9854]

2 generations, there.....Now, 4....SOOOOO, GRATEFUL......History is important!!!!!

[@waynewilburn3569]

I enjoy your videos each and every one of them they are fabulous please continue

[@jbenziggy]

We plan to do just that Wayne! Thanks very much for the encouragement!

[@magg13thecat]

Loved visiting the apple farms all around Placerville, especially in the fall

[@conniegoldthwait1463]

What a historic cool town! Loved the video!

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you very much!

[@streetrodder2846]

My wife and I stayed at the Cary House along with several members of the Tracy California Clutchburners car club. We stayed there back in the 90's. Great place to stay!

[@docalaska4069]

go up the mountain via Caloma to Garden Valley to Geargetown. You wont regret it unless you dont go.

[@peanut_trucker]

I catching up on old episodes this week. Awesome little town.

[@carolynpurser7469]

Didn't realize there was so much history in Placerville. Must visit one of them days. Didn't know Thomas Kinkaide was from Placerville.

[@anthonyparella2005]

My great grand mother lived there for several years.

[@olivecoleman3743]

I injoy your shows I learn a lot from you .thank you.

[@jbenziggy]

You are very welcome! Thank you, Olive!

[@tinklvsme]

By calling it Hang Town, it let the riff raft know they didn’t put up with a crap. Good iidea! Good video, I’m really liking these. ✌️

[@panther7603]

Very interesting. Thanks again!

[@jbenziggy]

Wonderful to hear! Thanks very much!

[@claudettedelphis6476]

Thank you Jeff and Sarah for another lovely piece of history 💐🌱🌝🌈

[@marcieconant5559]

I lived in California for 16 years. I heard of Placerville but never went thete. Now I wish I had. 🙂💕

[@cer2299]

Placerville is more beautiful and enchanting in person.

[@alanatolstad4824]

I've stopped a few times on my way to visit family in Tahoe! Great place to shop the antique shops!

[@roydavies260]

An enjoyable video, great history. Thanks History Hunters. Best wishes

[@joeblow9931]

I remember when Howell Huser went through that hardware store

[@jbenziggy]

Wow! He did? I wouldn’t doubt it. He went everywhere!!!

[@dancurran8977]

Always interesting, thanks! I have been hopping around watching various past episodes and the video quality of this episode is awesome. At some point you obviously invested in some new equipment.

[@jbenziggy]

Great to hear! Yes, we are trying to be as professional as we can on a shoestring budget. The newer GoPros have amazing image stabilization and we use a tripod on some of the long distance B-roll shots. Thanks for watching!

[@KowboyUSA]

Very interesting tour! Thank you for taking us all along! *P.S., 1910 was terrible year for fires across the Western US. Over 3 million acres burned by just the "Devil's Broom" fire in Western Montana and Idaho.

[@kimiastewart6293]

The history of this town is quite interesting, thanks for sharing!

[@wyodutch7992]

More great nuggets, Thanks.

[@tpadilla73]

Loved this video. Thank you for sharing History with us all. Need to take a drive to Placerville soon.

[@jbenziggy]

You should! So happy that you enjoyed our video.

[@jimmccoskey8253]

Thank you, very nicely presented.

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks very much for watching!!!

[@Whocares.........]

Thanks for that! Enjoyed immensely! I wish I was there. Rox from Cali

[@grandprixdriver]

Enjoyed this episode.Living in Sacramento, I've visited many times. I've eaten at Mel's Diner. Explored somr of the mines. I'm a paranormal investigator.Placerville is also one of the most haunted places. You should visit Coloma,which is not to far from there. There is a replica of Sutter's mill there. Also a historic site. Downieville,Ca. is also a good place to visit. One of my favorite places. Rich in history. It was the site of the very first hanging in Cal.

[@jbenziggy]

We did a video on Coloma last year! Check it out! kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3KQYnSLq7OFm6M

[@vasquezthegreat]

Cool.. Placerville. I moved to Pollock Pines in 2019, look forward to this Hangtown episode

[@pittsburgh-gal]

Thank you!!🌹

[@cwb0051]

This was Wonderful,you have some great weather out there. I Totally Agree about tearing beautiful, Historic buildings down and put Ugly "modern" crap up is Terrible, because once their gone, their Gone..

[@foxmulder4269]

Very cool old Town ! Got look to see where in CA this is near Sierra's ..and check out the real estate! Great vids guys, love it !

[@jbenziggy]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@jj90789]

Smashing the like button... my new favorite channel.. thank you.. thank you very much

[@jbenziggy]

Awesome, thank you!

[@Dan-sd5bm]

Jeff and Sarah I found your channel a week ago and Love it.

[@michaelvaristo5238]

Understand Jesse and Frank James dad died and is buried in Placerville somewhere in an unmarked grave. Came there as a minister to preach to the miners.

[@normanmallory2055]

This was very good , i just love this kind of history .. You both did very well doing this coverage .. In fact i had to watch it twice .. well done ..

[@jbenziggy]

Wow it must’ve been good for you to watch it twice. LOL we really appreciate you watching and enjoying our programs and telling us about it.

[@normanmallory2055]

@@jbenziggy It was good , in fact it's a whole different perspective than historic books I have , the books are great for that period of time with old historical pictures.. I always wonder what is there today of the area? Great comparison

[@sside8]

Wow! A lot of traffic for a smaller town, but it is very interesting.

[@stephr9859]

Lived there for many years. Lots of friends still there.

[@briannave7326]

Thanks for another great video.

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you Brian!

[@jennysjourney02]

I live about two hours from Placerville and have been many times. We enjoy going to the Hardware and antique store. It's a nice stop on our way to South Lake Tahoe, which is an hour east, lots of interesting history there too. Last time we drove up that way was last April.

[@decoconstruction]

Great job, love all the information

[@jbenziggy]

We appreciate you watching our video on Placerville and the nice comment!

[@sunhikermutt6797]

I love seeing these old towns and the history behind them.

[@jbenziggy]

Wonderful!

[@neilmcclain181]

Always enjoy your very interesting trips that you and Sara bring to us. I realize the time you must invest in research to make your episodes so very interesting. If you are ever in the Paso Robles-San Luis Obispo area I would enjoy buying you a very nice steak dinner or something of your choice. My way of saying thank you for your series.😊

[@jbenziggy]

Neil Mcclain oh boy! Thank you for your very much appreciated comments! Yes it does take a lot of research but I love learning new things! You’re way kind in your offer. Not sure when we’ll be down that way but it’s possible. Thanks again Neil! Jeff

[@neilmcclain181]

History Hunters I hope you two take up my offer, lots of history down this way too. Just let me know!

[@danzoller7397]

Right on cool vid of town ! I live just up the hill in pollock pines ! So much history!

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you, Dan!

[@Mutlap]

My family went to Placerville Ca. in 1849 to prospect for gold.

[@jkegly007]

I've been through Placerville many times on my way back and forth to South Lake Tahoe.

[@alaskavet8313]

Such a cool video of Placerville.

[@deadpiratetattoo2015]

I watch because you are thorough. Good stuff

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks Mr. Miller! We appreciate you acknowledging our thoroughness. We could go the easy route but we don't think it produces quality videos! Thanks!

[@deadpiratetattoo2015]

@@jbenziggy Im binging the catalogue. You just hit my feed recently. Thanks

[@oshtoolman]

Just east of the Superior Court is a small breakfast place called Sweetie Pies!!! Every trip to Placerville that is a "must" stop!!!

[@kennydavis4705]

loved it..good video

[@carlosherrera-nu9ct]

great video... we always drive throu but never stop... nexy time were stopping... thanks for the video

[@jbenziggy]

Much appreciated Carlos!