This year Placer County turns 175. Every Thursday we're adding new photographs, milestones and the stories of the people who built this place.
Explore more with our interactive timeline →
When the California Gold Rush began, some of the earliest prospectors to explore the opportunity were rugged mountain men and explorers poised to pursue new adventures. Those who were already in the California territory at the time of the gold discovery were even more prepared to join the rush and seek the golden treasure. Among these iconic pioneers was JeanBaptiste Charbonneau, who had guided the Mormon Battalion into California in 1846-47 during the height of the Mexican-American War.
He was then appointed alcalde of the San Luis Rey Mission, witnessing firsthand California’s transition to a United States territory.As the son of Sacagewea, Charbonneau was just an infant when he accompanied his mother on the famed expedition of Lewis and Clark in 1805 to investigate the territory acquired by the United States during the Louisiana Purchase.
Constantly on the move, Charbonneau traveled Europe and Africa and spent much of his life as an explorer, guide and fur trapper throughout the western U.S., benefitted by speaking German, French, Spanish and several indigenous languages.Charbonneau was already a legend when he arrived in what would become Placer County in June of 1849, along with another famed mountain man named Jim Beckwourth.
It is in Placer County that Charbonneau then spent the longest period of his life in one place.In 1852 Charbonneau was paid $48 by the Placer County Board of Supervisors for guiding the county’s surveyor. In 1857, he petitioned and was approved by the board to operate a ferry across the North Fork of the American River at Manhattan Bar.
By 1861, at 56 years old, Charbonneau was the clerk at the Orleans Hotel in Auburn.In 1866, the lure of a new gold strike in Montana lifted his roots once again and Charbonneau left Placer County behind.
This would be the last adventure for this historic figure as he contracted pneumonia and died in Oregon en route to Montana and was buried near Inskip Station.
Placer County's Museums Division brings history to life across eight locations — from the Gold Rush era to the present day. All eight museums offer free admission, with dedicated docents ready to take you deeper into the stories behind the artifacts. Plan your visit at placer.ca.gov/Museums.
 Whether it’s representing your community or sharing your expertise on topics like agriculture or parks, there are always opportunities for you to help advise county leaders on the issues that matter to you most. Recruitment is open now to fill seats on the following committees or commissions, among others. Learn more and apply
Current recruitments include:
Don’t miss the fun coming this next week in...
Roseville: Mahany Park Certified Farmers' Market, Maidu Park Farmers' Market, Roseville Fountains Farmers' Market, Kaiser Riverside Farmers' Market, Kaiser Eureka Farmers' Market, Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 Coast-to-Coast Tour,
Rocklin: 26 Parks in 2026, Rocklin Clean Up Day, Run Rocklin
Lincoln: Farmers’ Market at Fowler Ranch, Kaiser Lincoln Farmers' Market, Vintage Market, 2nd Saturday - Downtown Businesses
Auburn: Auburn Old Town Farmer’s Market – Placer Farmers Market, North Auburn Artists Reception, Farmers Market at Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital, Auburn State Recreation Area: Spring Bird Migration Walk, Sidewalk Sale Weekend,
Colfax: Colfax Railroad Days: Big Boy 4014 Celebration
North Lake Tahoe: Smore’s O’clock, The Village at Northstar Après Music Series, Throwback Thursdays, Line Dancing Fridays, Spring Thaw Shopping Scavenge, Spring Tracks Concert at Palisades Tahoe
...and many Placer County Library and Placer County Museum events.
Visit our regional partners to discover more of the fun happening right here in Placer County!
Placer County Visitors' Bureau
North Tahoe Community Alliance
Tahoe City Downtown Association
The Arts Council of Placer County
Placer Valley Tourism
PlacerGROWN
Placer Wine Trail
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