As Placer County continues celebrating its 175th anniversary, we have a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the rich history and communities that make our county unique and to think about what we want future generations to know about life here today. As part of the celebration, the County is creating a time capsule to be sealed inside the Historic Auburn Courthouse and opened on Placer County’s 250th anniversary in 2101, while the Placer 175 Oral History Project is inviting residents to share their stories and experiences for future generations. Join us for the ceremonial time capsule sealing on Saturday, October 10, at 1 p.m., and explore the interactive 175th anniversary timeline to discover historic photos, stories, and milestones.

LEARN MORE + SHARE YOUR STORY + EXPLORE THE TIMELINE

Foresthill began with the establishment of the Forest House nearby in 1851. The trading post, soon expanded to include a hotel, served people arriving in the region in search of wealth. In 1857, J. W. Phillips purchased land “up the hill” and divided it into lots on a broad, forested ridge above Snyder Canyon near the Middle Fork of the American River. He built a new Forest House in 1858, and businesses and miners soon followed, forming the town of Forest Hill. Devastating fires destroyed the Forest House and much of the town in the 1880s, but the community rebuilt and strengthened its fire defenses.

Surrounded by historic lumber and mining operations, Foresthill became an important commercial hub and crossroads for travelers. Stage lines and freight traveled daily through town, connecting Foresthill with Auburn, Michigan Bluff, Yankee Jims, Colfax, and other communities. The town’s name was originally written as two words or used interchangeably as one. Around 1950, the United States Post Office formalized “Foresthill” to distinguish the Placer County community from eight other towns named Forest Hill.

The Forest Hill Divide Museum preserves and shares the community’s history and is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. This year, it will also open Saturday, Sept. 12, as the final stop on the Heritage Trail Museums Tour. Learn more about the Heritage Trail and plan your visit.

Photo: The (third) Forest House in Foresthill, circa 1915. Placer County Museums, Forest Hill Divide Historical Society Collection.

The past month we attended: 

• 24 Internal Meetings
• 29 External Meetings
• 6 Board/Commission Meetings
• 5 MAC Meetings/ Forums/ Town Halls
• 14 Community Events

We assisted: 56 Constituents

VIEW CALENDAR + REQUEST ASSISTANCE

September is Hunger Action Month, and the Board of Supervisors recently recognized the month and the important work of local organizations helping address food insecurity throughout Placer County. For many individuals and families, putting healthy food on the table can mean making difficult choices between groceries and other basic needs like housing, utilities, transportation, and healthcare. There are many ways to help, including donating food, giving financially, or volunteering with local organizations working to ensure our neighbors have access to the food they need.

WAYS TO HELP:
Feeding the Foothills 
Auburn Interfaith Food Closet 
Sierra Community House

After 18 months of renovations, the Auburn Library reopened its doors on Aug. 22, marking the return of an important community gathering place. The nearly $10 million renovation brought major improvements to accessibility, safety, comfort, and technology while preserving the library’s role in serving generations of Auburn residents. I was glad to join the community in celebrating the library’s reopening and look forward to seeing all it has to offer for years to come. LEARN MORE

Placer County’s partnership with CAL FIRE provides an important layer of wildfire protection for our communities. Unlike the mutual aid available to counties throughout California, Placer County’s contract with CAL FIRE makes CAL FIRE the first responder to calls within the Placer County Fire Department service area. This unique partnership brings the full resources of CAL FIRE to our region and strengthens our ability to respond to wildfires and other emergencies. WATCH THE VIDEO