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Placer County 175th Anniversary

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Placer County 175th Anniversary

Placer County 175th Anniversary

Placer County is celebrating its 175th anniversary this year.

Established on April 25, 1851, the county’s story is deeply tied to the California Gold Rush, with agriculture, the transcontinental railroad, and World War II all playing key roles in shaping the community we know today.

Residents and visitors alike are invited to join the celebration through a series of events taking place across the county, from Tahoe to Roseville, as we honor this important milestone in our shared history.

Your History is Our History

As part of our 175th anniversary, we're launching an oral history project inspired by StoryCorps to record and preserve the stories of our community.

To participate, simply interview someone you know about their life. For up to 40 minutes, the two of you can talk about whatever matters most, asking meaningful questions like:

What are some lessons you've learned in life?
What are you most proud of?
How would you like to be remembered?

Visit our Placer 175 oral history project website to explore three different ways to record and share your oral history interview.

Share your story

Come Celebrate with Us!

March 24: Board of Supervisors' 175th Anniversary Resolution

175th Anniversary Resolution

On March 24, 2026, for the Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution highlighting milestones in Placer County’s history from 1851 through 2026. The board also heard a presentation from our museum’s administrator on the rich history of Placer County over 175 years. Click here to watch the presentation.

April 1: Historical Timeline of County Milestones

Historical Timeline of County Milestones

Join us on Engage Placer as we take a look back at our county's history over the last 175 years, guided by Museum Administrator Bryanna Ryan. Look for future opportunities to share your own family history in Placer County.

WHERE: Engage Placer
TIME: Ongoing

A large tent was used to house the first Auburn Courthouse in 1851. A nearby wooden cabin served as the county's jail.

The second Auburn Courthouse was constructed in 1853 on the hill where the current courthouse now stands. It was made entirely of wood and included a jail.

The wooden courthouse was moved aside to make way for the new courthouse. The wooden courthouse remained operational throughout the construction of the courthouse we know today.

The wooden courthouse was removed after the construction of the now historic Auburn Courthouse, which was completed in 1898.

View more on Engage Placer

April 18: Placer County Track and Field Championship

Placer County Track and Field Championship

The County of Placer was proud to be a presenting sponsor of the 2026 Placer County Track and Field Championships in Lincoln. The event featured athletes from high schools throughout the county, as well as a mid-championship relay featuring law enforcement and firefighters from throughout Placer. View photos from the event here72177720333241298.

April 25: Placer County Museum Live Tours

Old Town Walking Tours

Four docent-led walking tours were held on Saturday, April 25, in Auburn to honor Placer County's 175th Anniversary of incorporation, which occurred on April 25, 1851.

Learn more about Old Town Auburn, the county's history and the evolution of the Historic Courthouse in our latest County Line video. In celebration of Placer County’s 175th anniversary, CEO Daniel Chatigny visited the Placer County Museum inside the historic Auburn Courthouse.

Find out more about the Historic Auburn Courthouse, see current exhibits and discover the people and events that shaped Placer County’s history on our Museums website hereMuseums.

May 6: State of the County

State of the County

Placer County Board of Supervisors' Chair Shanti Landon presented the State of the County at Sun City Lincoln Hills during a breakfast event at the Orchard Creek Lodge.

May 17: Fanny Bridge Ribbon Cutting & Block Party

Fanny Bridge Ribbon Cutting & Block Party

One of Tahoe City’s most cherished landmarks has officially reopened. Placer County, the Central Federal Lands Division of the Federal Highway Administration, Caltrans, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and the Tahoe Transportation District worked together to complete the $10.6 million replacement bridge, and celebrated the achievement with a summer-time ribbon-cutting and block party with the community.

The new single-span bridge mirrors the appearance of the original historic bridge while removing piers in the Truckee River, preserving the bridge’s historic character and delivering modern safety, accessibility and environmental improvements.

June 25-28: Placer County Fair

Placer County Fair

Placer County was proud to be the presenting sponsor at this year’s Placer County Fair.

The four-day event highlighted the county's 175th anniversary and added to the community time capsule. Look through photos from the fair hereaHBqjCY9eW or check out the video below to learn more.

Sept. 18-19: 33rd Annual Hot Chili & Cool Cars

In one of the final events of the year, Placer County will join the Rocklin Chamber of Commerce at the Sept. 18-19 Hot Chili & Cool Cars two-day event in the City of Rocklin.

WHEN: Sept. 18 at 6 p.m. - Car Cruise
Sept. 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Main Event
WHERE: Quarry Park and Rocklin Road
WHAT: The Rocklin Chamber of Commerce Hot Chili & Cool Cars annual event is a favorite for residents, visitors, classic car enthusiasts and chili aficionados. Free to attend, the 33rd annual event features the area’s coolest cars and fiercest chili cooks, all competing for bragging rights in the Classic Car show and Chili Cook-off. Downtown Rocklin is transformed into a giant community celebration, encompassing nearly 17 acres. Such efforts would not be possible without our generous title sponsors, Five Star Auto Center & RC Willey. And back by popular demand, we'll be kicking off the celebration with our 7th Annual Classic Car Cruise through Rocklin.

Learn more by visiting the Rocklin Chamber's website herehotchilicoolcars.html.

October 10: Time Capsule Event

Time Capsule

Placer County is looking for meaningful content to include in our time capsule that will be entombed at the Historic Auburn Courthouse to commemorate our 175th anniversary. This time capsule will be opened on Placer County’s 250^th anniversary in the year 2101. The contents that are placed inside will help to inform future generations about life in Placer County in the year 2026.

Items like newspapers, photographs, uncirculated coins, and promotional souvenirs will be placed inside this time capsule. County staff are currently gathering artifacts to be placed in the time capsule.

WHEN: Saturday, October 10, 2026 beginning at 1 p.m.
WHERE: Historic Auburn Courthouse
101 Maple Street, Auburn, CA 95603
WHAT: The Museums Division will host a ceremonial event to seal the time capsule inside the courthouse. The event will feature speakers from throughout the county, a special capsule closing celebration and conclude with museum tours from docents.