Adventure 051, Site 100 – Hangtown (Placerville)

Capture California, the Game-2012

Adventure: 051, Site 100 – Hangtown (Placerville)

California Landmark Number: 141

Team: Thing One, Thing Two

Date:  September 27, 2012

Location:

Latitude: 38° 43.697′ N

Longitude: 120° 48.147′ W

Address: 305 Main St. Placerville

 Description:

Somehow this seems just right—having the Hanging Tree be the first landmark when we come into Placerville. We saw the Pony Express marker on the way into town, but then parked only a few feet from the Hanging Tree marker. Being so close, we did not see the main attraction until later, when Thing Two said, they really get into this hanging theme, don't they? She also noted that Placerville must be great around Halloween. It was the hanging of The Three Unfortunates which changed the towns moniker from Dry Diggings to Hangtown. Noehill noted that the stump of the hanging tree is still under the building we were seeing, which was fenced off for repairs.

NO. 141 HANGMAN'S TREE - In the days of 1849, when this city was called Hangtown, vigilantes executed many men for various crimes. This was the site of Hay Yard, on which stood the 'Hangman's Tree.' The stump of the tree is under the building on which the plaque is placed.
Location: 305 Main St. Placerville



References:

• Noehill
  
• Historical Marker Database (HMDB.org)
  
• City of Placerville Historical Commission
  

Overall Landmark References:

• David Schmitt's California State Historical Landmark (Schmitt)
  
• Wikipedia: California's National Landmarks (WCNL)
  
• State of California's California Historical Landmarks (CHL)
  
• Wikipedia: California State Landmarks (WCSL)
  
• State of California Historical Resources (CHR)
  
• Noehill (NOE)
  
• Historical Marker Database (HMDB)