County History
Do you want to learn more about El Dorado County history? Read through our resources below and enjoy interactive videos to discover more about the County's expansive history.
County History
The History Of...
Communities and Mining Camps
When gold was discovered in El Dorado County in 1848, countless mining camps and flats sprang up. Many were abandoned within weeks or months, while others became boom towns. As the Gold Rush faded, some towns began to rely on other industries like logging or farming to survive, while many were not successful. People left over time, leaving behind abandoned homes and empty towns. Today El Dorado County is filled with the foundations of old cabins, remnants of mines, and stories of these once busy towns. The sites of many of these towns can still be seen along the now paved country roads which were once their main streets.