 On July 4, 1894, Judge Prewett, Mayor Morgan of Auburn, the superintendent of schools, and the Board of Supervisors dedicated the cornerstone of the new Placer County courthouse. Prewett examined the stone to be plumb, level and square.
He explained, “Today we lay the foundation of a building that shall tell the future ages what manner of people we are,” and announced: “I declare it a fit and proper cornerstone for this magnificent foundation.”
Beneath the foundation, a copper box was entombed as a permanent time capsule to commemorate the building of the planned Temple of Justice. Inside this box are newspaper articles from the Placer Herald, Placer Representative, Placer Argus, Placer Republican, Placer News Messenger, Newcastle News and Colfax Sentinel.
There are various coins, stock certificates for the Placer and Nevada Railroad Company, two Manuals of Public Schools for Placer County, one copy of the Great Register of Voters, and a photograph of John C. Boggs. The box was also sprinkled with gold dust and anointed with oil.
Over the following four years, the courthouse was built and on July 4, 1898, the completed structure was formally dedicated and opened to a grand celebration.
As this year marks the 175th anniversary of Placer County, a new time capsule will be entombed at this historic courthouse later this year to tell future ages what manner of people we are today, in 2026.
At the Placer County Museum, visitors can be a part of history and help inform what will be placed inside the time capsule to be opened in 75 years.The museum will host its Heritage Trail Day on July 18. Visit the Heritage Trail Museums Tour of Placer County website to learn more.
Photo: Placer County Courthouse. Circa 1898. 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
 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, 4th of July Celebration, Food Truck Mania
Rocklin: 26 Parks in 2026, Living Smart Farmers Market
Lincoln: Farmers’ Market at Fowler Ranch, Kaiser Lincoln Farmers' Market, Annual 4th of July Pancake Breakfast, Lincoln CA 4th of July Parade
Loomis: Summer Concert
Auburn: Auburn Old Town Farmer’s Market – Placer Farmers Market, Farmers Market at Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital, Auburn Music On The Square, Party In The Park!, Market in the Square, Auburn’s Family Fourth!, Auburn Mile
Colfax: Colfax Farmers’ Market, The Colfax Bazaar, Historic Downtown Colfax Annual 3rd of July Celebration
North Lake Tahoe: Tahoe City Farmer’s Market, Music on the Beach, Kings Beach, Concerts At Commons Beach, Tahoe City, Movies on the Beach Tahoe City, Local Heroes 4th of July Celebration, Tahoe City 4th of July Celebrations, Bluesdays, Firecracker Mile In Truckee
...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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