Wells Fargo Express began operating in the mining town of Auburn in 1852. The company sent and received mail and transported gold with full insurance coverage. On 12 November 1853, the Placer Herald wrote: “The Express men of our town are now reaping a golden harvest. Thousands of dollars worth of dust are bought every week. Upon the rivers, especially, they make heavy purchases every few days.”

After the huge fire of 1855 destroyed the original Wells Fargo Express office, the company moved to this newly constructed building, known as the James Block or the Post Office Block, which contains three separate buildings sharing walls and an outside brick façade.

The post office moved into the block in 1878.