Below you will find various links and resources on the history of El Dorado County.
- The Mines of El Dorado County, by Doug Noble
- The Mines of El Dorado County is available in .pdf format.
- The Post Offices of El Dorado County, by Doug Noble
- The Post Offices of El Dorado County is available in .pdf format.
- Community Profiles, by Doug Noble
- Cameron Park
Camino
Diamond Springs
El Dorado Hills
Georgetown: Part 1; Part 2
Grizzly Flat
Lake Tahoe: Part 1; Part 2; Part 3; Part 4; Part 5; Part 6; Part 7; Part 8; Part 9; Part 10
Placerville: Part 1; Part 2; Part 3; Part 4
Pollock Pines
Rescue
Shingle Springs: Part 1; Part 2
Smith Flat
Somerset
- El Dorado County History
- The Story Index contains many stories and photos about people and places in El Dorado County History.
- Historical Sites and Activities in El Dorado County
- The Visitor's Authority web site provides a wealth of information about the many historic mining towns, pioneer cemeteries, historic country inns, museums and more of El Dorado County.
- El Dorado County Historical Museum
- Visit the El Dorado County Historical Museum and take an informative tour, wander among the historical artifacts, or research a family ancestor.
- History of El Dorado County SCATV2 YouTube Channel Playlist
- This is a collection of videos sharing the rich history of El Dorado County.
- Pollock Pines Epic
- Visit the Pollock Pines Epic site to read a web-based copy of the book Pollock Pines Epic, by Marilyn Parker. Find this book in our catalog.
- Online Archive of California
- Search the C. Hart Merriam Collection of Native American Photographs, ca. 1890-1938. The list of tribes on the left of the page will take you to other photos. To go directly to the Maidu (Midoo) collection click here.
Please note these links are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement by El Dorado County Library.
The El Dorado County Library has a large collection of books about the history of the county, the California Gold Rush, and early California history. The following is a very small sampling of books available at the library. Many of our books are in Reference or Rare, and may not be checked out but they can be viewed in the library.
- Placerville reflections: a photo album of "Old Hangtown"
- Author: Fairchild, Elizabeth
El Dorado County Historical Society 2002 - Hidden in the chaparral: a chronicle, from 1848 to 1942, of the gold rush towns of Spanish Flat, Kelsey, American Flat, Garden Valley, and surrounding mining settlements and camps
- Author: Gernes, Phyllis Lindert
Gernes 1979 - Lake of the sky: Lake Tahoe in the high Sierras of California and Nevada
- Author: James, George Wharton
Nevada publications reprint edition 1992 - Mother Lode of learning: one room schools in El Dorado County
- Author: Miller, Edna
El Dorado County Retired Teachers Association 1990 - El Dorado County historic places of interest, myths and legends
- Author: Moser-Flynn, Halmar
Heritage Association of El Dorado County 1995 - Georgetown historical walking tour, Georgetown, California
- Author: Rambeau, Shirley
Minuteman Press 2004 - Sesquicentennial reprint of Paolo Sioli's Historical souvenir of El Dorado County, California with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers
- Author: Sioli, Paolo
Cedar Ridge Publishing 1998 reprint of original 1883 edition - Old Hangtown: a history of Placerville, California from 1848-1856
- Author: Winkler, Jack R.
JRW Press 2000 - "I remember … " : stories and pictures of El Dorado County pioneer families
- Author: Yohalem, Betty
El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce 1997
A complete listing of our books can be found by searching through our online catalog using the subject search. Subjects are often further divided by specific headings, so that a work might be listed under El Dorado County (Calif.) - History - Pictorial Works.
Historical File
The library's Historical File is a collection of newspaper clippings, articles, and ephemera about El Dorado County people, places and events. This resource is available only at the Placerville Library.
Microfilms and Newspapers
The library has a collection of microfilm of local newspapers. Many of these are available through Interlibrary Loan. The Placerville Library also has a microfilm reader/printer for use during open hours. The entire run of the Mountain Democrat is available online at the library, and can be searched by keyword.
Microfilm at the Placerville Library
- The Mountain Democrat (published in Placerville, Calif.) 1854-current
- Georgetown Gazette
- Village Life (El Dorado Hills)
- Cameron Park Life (Cameron Park)
Microfilm at the South Lake Tahoe Library
- Tahoe Daily Tribune
