Dry Diggin's, as it was known in 1848, was the first major camp to spring up after the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, just down the road. Because of it's riches, Dry Diggin's soon attracted a number of unsavory characters. The crime rate rose alarmingly and so did the tempers of the miners. As verdicts were read, miners cried out "hang 'em" and hanged they were. The rope was used frequently for the next couple of years and Dry Diggins became "Hangtown". Finally, giving in to the inevitable forces of civilization, the more sedate "Placerville" was adopted.

We would like to invite you to visit and shop the merchants of Placerville. Take a stroll through history and discover a unique shopping experience and always California Friendly Hospitality.