 On July 4, 1894, the cornerstone was laid for Placer County’s new courthouse in Auburn. The grand, four-level structure was built on the site of the county’s wooden courthouse and brick jail that had been in service since the 1850s. To accommodate the construction, the old courthouse was picked up and moved out of the way while it continued to function as the seat of Placer County’s government.
The bell, which sat on the old courthouse, was made in 1859 and was one of the last items to be moved to the new building where it still sits today, overlooking Old Town Auburn toward Nevada Street.
Upon completion of the new courthouse, the old jail was demolished and bricks were used as fill to level-out local lots. The old courthouse was then moved to the Placer County Hospital grounds to serve as a patient ward.
The new courthouse was officially dedicated on July 4, 1898, and designed to be a fireproof building that would house the county’s treasure and important records. It is constructed primarily of granite, terra cotta brick and with marble interior finishes sourced from local quarries.
Starting in the 1970s and 1980s, the structure was completely restored and continues to serve as a courthouse, while the first floor was opened as the Placer County Museum in 1994. This free admission museum is open seven days a week, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Plan your visit to the Placer County Museum
Photo: Placer County Courthouse under construction, 1897. Placer County Museums collection.
Explore our new interactive timeline — updated every Thursday with photographs, milestones and the stories of people who built this county. Explore timeline
 There has been a surge in calls to the county's mobile crisis team – an increase of 164% over the last three fiscal years.
That's 3,162 calls last year for help for people experiencing a mental health crisis.
If you or someone you know needs immediate support, the county’s line is always available at 888‑886‑5401.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we’re spotlighting the many local resources that make mental health support easier to find and reach. One great opportunity coming up:
Placer4MentalHealth Wellness Fair — May 21
- Thursday, May 21, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Maidu Community Center, 1550 Maidu Drive, Roseville
Join us and our partners for this free, family‑friendly Wellness Fair featuring workshops, live entertainment, family activities and connections to local mental health resources.
The fair offers residents a one‑stop shop to explore wellness tools, meet service providers, and learn more about how to support their own well‑being and the well‑being of loved ones.
Placer County also provides a wide range of supportive mental health services year-round, including:
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Walk‑in mental health screening clinics, where residents can answer a few questions and be connected to the most appropriate level of care, including county services for individuals with serious mental illness, from outpatient counseling to psychiatric hospitalization.
- Behavioral health urgent care through the Lotus Behavioral Health Crisis Center.
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Wellness Center activities in Roseville, fostering connection, recovery and community.
- And much more… connect with us!
 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, Sutter Roseville Farmers Market,
Rocklin: 26 Parks in 2026, Meet the Machines
Lincoln: Farmers’ Market at Fowler Ranch, Kaiser Lincoln Farmers' Market, 2026 National Competition “Feats Of Clay” Exhibit, Vintage Market at Gypsy Chic - Heirloom Garden Market,
Loomis: Townsmen Car Show
Auburn: Auburn Old Town Farmer’s Market – Placer Farmers Market, Farmers Market at Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital, Auburn Music On The Square, Auburn Bike Month Speaker Series, Firefighter storytimes, Auburn Spring Fest, Vintage And Antique Market,
Colfax: Colfax Farmers’ Market, Firefighter storytimes, Sierra Vista Community Center Flea Market, Colfax Art Walks & Lions Cruise Night
North Lake Tahoe: Line Dancing Fridays, Sierra Speaker Series: The Donner Party: Weathering the Storm, Fanny Bridge Ribbon Cutting and Block Party
...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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