Gold rush town and western terminus of the Placerville-Carson Road to the Comstock, Placerville was a relay station of the Central Overland Pony Express from April 4, 1860 - June 30, 1861. Here on April 4, 1860, the first east-bound pony rider, William (Sam) Hamilton, changed horses, added one express letter to his mochila, and sped away for Sportsman's Hall. On July 1, 1861, Placerville became the western terminus of the Pony Express, until its discontinuance on October 26, 1861.

California Registered Historical Landmark No. 701

Plaque placed by the California State Park Commission in cooperation with the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce, James W. Marshall Chapter 49, E Clampus Vitus, and the Central Overland Pony Express Trail Association, April 2, 1960.

For twenty winters from 1856 to 1876, he was the lifeline between Utah Territory, across the Sierras, and the new state of California. On skis, he carried mail, medicine, supplies and information between Placerville California and Genoa Nevada, and mining camps of the Mother Lode and Washoe areas. He was a true pioneer of early California...a legend in his own time.

1827 - 1876

Placed by Snowshoe Thompson Lodge No. 78, Sons of Norway, Yuba City, California
In Memory of Olga M. Davidson