The Style of the West Placerville, California

There have been people living the "western life" every day for one hundred and fifty years. Located in El Dorado County, California, Placerville is picturesque and loaded with history. Also known as Hangtown or Ravine City, it was incorporated in the year 1854. There are a few stories of how the name of Hangtown came about, but it is most likely a combination of all three recollections that make up the reason for the city being called that. This also helped to distinguish it from any other dry digging towns in the area. It would later be called Ravine City, because it was located proximately to several ravines. Placerville is about 50 miles away from Sacramento, the capital city of California.

Placerville and many other small towns in California made the Gold Rush very lucrative for many. Of course, not everyone was successful during this period -- there were plenty of people who went bankrupt as well! Today, Placerville is a modern town with modern amenities. But the history still resides in Placerville. If you go visit the town, there are many places where you can see remnants of history and reminders of how the great state of California began. Evidence of old gold mines, railroad camps, and many other pieces of history from days gone by they are all right there in Placerville. You can make a great day trip by going to Placerville, visiting and soaking up the local history. You can then take a short 50 mile drive to old town Sacramento and wander the cobblestone streets and see some more exciting history about how the west was born.