Built 1852 In Placerville’s Old Hangtown

Near Courthouse ~ 524 Main Street

Open Wednesday-Sunday 11:00 AM-4:00 PM

El Dorado County is a beautiful rural area located above the Sacramento Valley east toward Lake Tahoe.  Visitors like the majestic mountains, rushing rivers, and farmland.

The county is renown as the “Golden County” and is home to legendary Gold towns.  The very first one was Coloma on the South Fork of the American River where gold was discovered in January 1848.  Soon after rancheros who worked for Captain Weber of Stockton also found gold at a creek near Placerville.  And so it went in the areas of Diamond Springs, El Dorado, Georgetown, Kelsey, Newtown, Smith Flat, and along the streams and rivers of the County, gold was found everywhere.

Visitors now come to El Dorado County for many reasons and some have high hopes of finding the colour of gold.  With gold pans, sluice boxes, and dredges in hand, they use their ingenuity to look for any gold the early 49ers missed.  

Mostly, people find El Dorado County a rich educational experience as they enjoy investigating its early background.  If that is your attraction, you have found a lifetime of interest in California History.

The Fountain & Tallman Museum is owned and operated by the El Dorado County Historical Society.  The two-story masonry structure was built in 1852 as a Soda Works.  It is the oldest building in Placerville having survived fires in the 1850s.

After extensive renovation, the Placerville Historical Museum opened in 1983. The building is designated a California State Historical Landmark and is also on the National Register of Historic Sites as Fountain-Tallman Soda Works

The Museum’s exhibits are found on two levels.  On the first floor are Gold Rush era artifact displays and a gift shop.  Upstairs are displays of early life and business in the County.

The mission of the El Dorado County Historical Society is to honor the people who came before us by rescuing, preserving, researching and displaying the county’s rich history to ensure that its significance will be appreciated for generations to come.

Although the Gold Rush days have slipped into  history, visitors discover that an easy camaraderie and spirit linger at Fountian & Tallman.