 On Oct. 2, 1941, the new Placer County Jail was inspected and formally dedicated. Sheriff Charles Silva invited James Walsh, who was undersheriff when the new courthouse was dedicated in 1898, to officially open the cells and help transfer the first prisoner from the jail on the first floor of the courthouse into the new jail. The jail was constructed in what is today the back parking lot of the courthouse. Walsh was the one who transferred the first prisoners from the old brick jail, which sat on the flagpole side of the courthouse, some 41 years earlier.
The new jail consisted of two floors of cells for men, a separate women’s ward and a separate juvenile ward. Also included were a receiving tank for overnight prisoners, a large storage room, a kitchen, a room for visiting attorneys, two witness cells and a large furnace. The furnace not only heated the jail, but also the entire courthouse.
The jail stood behind the historic courthouse for the next 44 years before being torn down in August of 1985. Prisoners in the jail were once again transferred to a new Placer County Jail, this one a little farther away on the DeWitt Placer County Government Center grounds.
Photo: Placer County Jail under construction, c. 1940
 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: OAKtober Festival, Roseville Rising: Culinary Showcase, Baby Lapsit – Maidu Library
Rocklin: Maker Faire Rocklin & Sierra Preview Day, Placer SPCA Wag & Walk, Pumpkin Patch at Deer Creek Farm, Rocklin Fire Open House, Station 23
Lincoln: 2025 Farm & Barn Tour
Loomis: Loomis Fruit Shed Fest 2025, 2025 Farm & Barn Tour, Coffee Connection Auburn: Old Auburn Cemetery Tour, Market and Music In The Square, Auburn Porch-Fest, Friends of Auburn Library Used Books Sale/Donations, Pints with a Purpose! Colfax: Spaghetti Dinner to Honor Our First Responders, Pints & Grooves: Free Music in Downtown Colfax!
North Lake Tahoe: Tie-Dye + Doughnuts, Pickleball – Outdoor Drop-in Play
...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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