Photo of the week

This #PlacerLife photo of two golden retrievers in the Tahoe City snow was taken by @lottiethemountaindog on Instagram. 

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Placer County turns 175 years old Saturday!

1️⃣7️⃣5️⃣ Placer County will celebrate its 175th birthday Saturday, April 25, with walking tours of Old Town Auburn and docent-led tours of the Placer County Museum inside the Historic Auburn Courthouse. CEO message + learn more

🏛️ Placer’s County Executive Officer Daniel Chatigny toured the courthouse earlier this month to learn more about the iconic building’s history. Follow along in the first edition of his new video series, The County Line. Watch video

✨ History buffs can learn more about Placer County by visiting our engage Placer site to view a timeline of historic milestones over the past 175 years. Learn more

🥇 We have a variety of anniversary events planned this year, so make sure to check out our webpage for scheduled activities. Last weekend, we were the 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 relay highlighting law enforcement and firefighters from throughout Placer. Watch video + view photos

Health & safety

April 25 medication take-back event and more disposal options

Placer County will host a free medication take-back event April 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Residents can also safely dispose of unused medications throughout the year using free drop boxes and mail-in services across the county.
Get details

Environment

Air Pollution Control District, PCCP attend Sierra College Earth Day

Earth Day at Sierra College brought students and community partners together to celebrate sustainability. Informational booths highlighted conservation efforts, and attendees could also test drive electric vehicles. See photos

Events

Placer County to expand code enforcement this events season

Placer County Code Enforcement Services is reminding rural property owners and event hosts to review permitting requirements ahead of the upcoming events season. Report suspected unpermitted events to our hotline. Read more

Housing

Roseville Lofts project offers affordable housing opportunity

The City of Roseville’s affordable housing program is taking applications to purchase affordable homes at the Roseville Lofts project. The program prioritizes qualified applicants who live or work in Roseville.
Learn more

In other news

Placer County to host virtual community meeting April 28 to discuss employee parking in Kings Beach

FAQs: Learn more about the proposed Cabin Creek Biomass Project planned for eastern Placer

View changes to the amended Village at Palisades Tahoe Specific Plan in updated documents

Save the date: Join us May 17 in Tahoe City to celebrate the Fanny Bridge Ribbon Cutting and Block Party

This week in Placer County history

By the 1860s, the California Gold Rush had shifted from a rush for riches to a period of settlement and steady growth. Mining ditches became commercial water systems, companies paid regular wages and many settlers turned to agriculture and other industries.

The history of the Traveler’s Rest reflects this transition. Built in 1851 by George Bishop and John Long, the two-story inn served as a stage stop along the main route from Sacramento to Folsom and Auburn along the American River. Though not the only roadhouse, it remains one of the oldest known buildings still standing in Placer County.

Popular with travelers and teamsters, the hotel expanded in 1856 with a one-story addition. By 1858, it became a private residence as its owners struggled financially. Court records show they borrowed from Eliza Caruthers, who sued over unpaid debts in 1861. After continued financial strain, the property was sold at a sheriff’s sale in 1864, where Caruthers purchased it for $4,772.71.

Caruthers, widowed in 1857 after her husband died in a mining accident, had briefly traveled to the East Coast aboard the SS Central America. The ship, carrying tons of California gold and hundreds of passengers, sank in a hurricane off the Carolinas. Caruthers survived, though hundreds perished.

After acquiring the property, she managed the 30-acre site, which included a vineyard and orchard, before selling it in 1868 to Bernhard Bernhard, a former teamster. With the arrival of the railroad, Bernhard expanded the property into a productive 130-acre agricultural operation.

Today, the former Traveler’s Rest is preserved as the Bernhard Museum and is open six days a week with free admission. Plan your visit

Explore our new interactive timeline — updated every Thursday with photographs, milestones and the stories of people who built this county. Explore timeline

Advisory committees and commissions

Whether it’s representing your community or sharing your expertise on topics like agriculture or parks, there are always opportunities for you to help advise county leaders on the issues that matter to you most. Recruitment is open now to fill seats on the following committees or commissions, among others. Learn more and apply

Current recruitments include:

• Area 4 Agency on Aging Advisory Council

• Building Board of Appeals

• Cemetery Auburn District

• Cemetery Tahoe District

• Economic Development Board

• Fish & Game Commission

• First 5 Placer Children & Families Commission

• Flood Control & Water Conservation District Board

• Gold Run Cemetery Committee

• Greater Auburn Area Fire Safe Council

• Greater Lincoln Area Fire Safe Council

• In Home Support Services Advisory Committee

• Juvenile Justice / Delinquency Prevention

• Library Advisory Board

• Donner Summit Municipal Advisory Council

• Municipal Advisory Council - Granite Bay

• Municipal Advisory Council - Horseshoe Bar Penryn

• Municipal Advisory Council - Olympic Valley

• Municipal Advisory Council - Rural Lincoln

• Municipal Advisory Council - West Placer Citizens

• Newcastle Ophir Municipal Advisory Council

• North Auburn/Ophir Fire Safe Council

• Placer County Child Care Advisory Council

• Placer County Older Adult Advisory Commission

• Placer Sierra Fire Safe Council

• Solid Waste Local Task Force

• Veterans Advisory Council

• Wastewater Advisory Committee

Fun things to do this week

Don’t miss the fun coming this next week in...

Roseville: Mahany Park Certified Farmers' Market, Maidu Park Farmers' Market, Roseville Fountains Farmers' Market, Kaiser Riverside Farmers' Market, Kaiser Eureka Farmers' Market, Sutter Roseville Farmers Market, Rainbow Party, Yoomen: A Celebration of Spring, 

Rocklin: 26 Parks in 2026

Lincoln: Farmers’ Market at Fowler Ranch, Kaiser Lincoln Farmers' Market, 

Auburn: Auburn Old Town Farmer’s Market – Placer Farmers Market, Farmers Market at Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital, Canyons Endurance Runs by UTMB, Placer County 175th Anniversary Special Walking Tours, Some Kind of Earth Day Festival

Colfax: Rock the Frog BBQ Fundraiser – Live Music in Colfax

North Lake Tahoe: Throwback Thursdays, Line Dancing Fridays, Tahoe Truckee Earth Day

...and many Placer County Library and Placer County Museum events.

Visit our regional partners to discover more of the fun happening right here in Placer County!

Placer County Visitors' Bureau
North Tahoe Community Alliance
Tahoe City Downtown Association
The Arts Council of Placer County
Placer Valley Tourism
PlacerGROWN
Placer Wine Trail

Upcoming public meetings and events

Placer Sierra Fire Safe Council, April 23, 6 p.m. Information
Board of Supervisors special meeting, April 29-30, 9 a.m. Information

To learn about other Placer County committees and commissions and current opportunities to serve your community click here.

List of active projects throughout Placer County

Projects are listed alphabetically and by Board of Supervisors districts. A hard copy of the list is available at the Placer County Community Development Resource Agency, 3091 County Center Drive in Auburn. 

Active Projects

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