This rustic Gold Rush town is a historical landmark! Located in El Dorado County, just west of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range on Historic Highway 49, the entire town of Georgetown is registered as a California Historical Landmark. Georgetown sprung up during the California Gold Rush of the mid-1800s and was nicknamed Growlersburg because the large gold nuggets miners discovered “growled” in their mining pans.
Numerous plaques all over the downtown area describe historical buildings and figures who founded the town. Even for tourists who aren’t major history buffs, Georgetown is a great place to breathe in the fresh mountain air, meander around the small downtown, and grab a bite to eat at one of the restaurants.
At over 2,600 feet in elevation, Georgetown’s beautiful architecture looks especially stunning against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. You can easily do a self-guided tour. The town is small and the plaques are plentiful! Here are some of the must-see historical sites:
1. Georgetown Hotel & Saloon
Georgetown Hotel, 6260 Main St, Georgetown, CA 95634, USA
Ever since Georgetown sprung up, a hotel has occupied this spot on Main Street. The Georgetown Hotel & Saloon was built in the late 1800s after several fires destroyed the previous hotels. It has always been a fixture in the community. Today, the hotel and saloon serves lunch and dinner, as well as hosts live music.
2. IOOF Hall/ formerly Balsar House
IOOF Hall (El Dorado County Historical Site), 6249 Main St, Georgetown, CA 95634, USA
The IOOF Hall is a cherished historical landmark in Georgetown. Eliza Balsar purchased the burnt building right after a fire and did extensive renovations to restore the property and transform it into a hotel, completed in 1859. Her hotel did not last and was later turned into an opera house, then a general store, and then a church. The building has seen many renovations. Today, the building serves as a historical marker, and a meeting and event space.
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3. Civil War Armory
Civil War Armory, 6261 Main St, Georgetown, CA 95634, USA
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Civil War Armory is a tiny building that once served as a "home guard" for soldiers protecting this gold country area in case there was an invasion of southern military forces during the Civil War. The "Georgetown Blues" formed as a military group to serve as Georgetown’s Union Guard. You’ll find this small building on Main Street in Georgetown.
Many wooden cabins were built to house the miners who flocked to the area until a fire in 1852 demolished most of the town. The town’s settlers decided to quickly rebuild the town and made the downtown streets 100 feet wide.
Georgetown is less crowded than other major Gold Rush towns in the area, such as Placerville and Auburn. That is because Georgetown is not directly off the major highways. Whether you’re coming from US 50 or US 80, you’ll take a less traveled (and historic!) highway to get here.
During Christmastime, Georgetown is home to several events, including craft shows and Christmas tree lighting. In the nearby area you can visit Christmas tree farms where you can chop down your own tree.
