 The Placer County Administrative Center was built in 1966 on Fulweiler Avenue in Auburn and is a remarkable example of innovative mid-century modernist design. It is composed of five geodesic domes. An open-framework dome is positioned over the entry plaza with a fountain centered beneath. The roof is covered with a golden finish to represent the county’s Gold Rush-era roots while the overall shape emulates the low rolling foothills of the region.
Commonly known as the Domes, this structure along with the two-story concrete building next door, represented a new era for Placer County. They were originally planned to ease overcrowding at the Auburn Courthouse where the administrative functions of the county had always operated. The site was selected near the courthouse. Here, Placer County purchased 22 acres of vacant land and between 1963 and 1966 built these two structures.
The geodesic design was chosen for cost efficiency expected in the prefabricated project. The entire structure was made in panels of anodized aluminum at the Temcor facility in Torrance, California. Shipped by rail, the first dome took three weeks for crews to complete. After this initial learning phase, it took only about three days to assemble each dome with the entire project taking 10 months at a total cost, including landscaping, of $689,648.47.
At the dedication ceremony Oct. 29, 1966, Board of Supervisors Chairman Will Jones remarked: “To me these new buildings represent new thinking. They represent the ability to gain from the experience of others. They are a new approach and, as I like to think, a new start.”
Today, this unique structure has been carefully maintained and in 2025 was added to the National Register of Historic Places for its architectural significance.
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, 2026 Roseville Greek Food Festival, Food Truck Mania
Lincoln: Farmers’ Market at Fowler Ranch, Kaiser Lincoln Farmers' Market
Loomis: Tales for Tots, Girls’ Night Out at The Flower Farm
Auburn: Auburn Old Town Farmer’s Market – Placer Farmers Market, Farmers Market at Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital, Auburn Music On The Square, Auburn State Theatre Present FernGully: The Last Rainforest, Market in the Square
Colfax: Colfax Farmers’ Market
North Lake Tahoe: Tahoe City Farmer’s Market, Music on the Beach, Lights in the Sky, Music on the Beach, Northstar Summer Stage Music, 12th Annual Labor Day Cleanup, Rubicon Music Series, Concerts at Commons Beach
...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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