El Dorado County History Digest

Following the 2022 opening of the brand’s first luxury micro-resort in South Lake Tahoe, Desolation Hotel has announced its expansion to a second location, taking over the beloved Sorensen’s Resort.

Record-setting glider pilot Gordon Boettger and co-pilot Bruce Campbell landed 17 hours and 25 minutes after setting off, setting a record of 3,055 kilometers, the longest glider flight in history.

The National Forest Foundation has launched the tour, which is available in English, Spanish, and Washoe, and provides visitors with a unique opportunity to learn about the history, culture and natural environment of the Lake Tahoe region.

About 164 years ago, the first El Dorado County Fair was held in Coloma. The Fair moved around the county for a few years, setting up tents in Coloma, Diamond Springs and “downtown” Placerville.

Fayçal Ziraoui flew to California from France, believing that the serial killer may have left a rock formation near Hell Hole Reservoir, west of Lake Tahoe in Placer County.

Dick and Mac McDonald came to California to seek opportunities in the movie business and wound up owning a drive-in BBQ restaurant in San Bernardino. On May 15, 1948, they opened their revamped restaurant with a Speedee Service System featuring hamburgers.

The coastal redwood that towers 95 feet over Main Street and has become deeply rooted in Placerville’s history may have to face the axe as one of three options City Council will consider after the tree was damaged over winter.

“The Lake of the Sky” is grabbing attention this winter for more than one reason. Emerald Bay froze completely, including the inlet, for the first time in many years.

On its 172nd publishing anniversary, the Mountain Democrat is the lone survivor of the Gold Rush era that once had 19 other publications available before 1858. The newspaper is also the oldest business in El Dorado County.

In 2004, Bob Moore put together the concept of the Sierra Avalanche Center and enlisted a volunteer to help with winter forecasting duties. It became officially stamped as a nonprofit in the 2003/04 season. Next year will be its 20th anniversary.

Lake Tahoe has been a sought-after destination location for years, and has quickly grown since development began in the 1960s.

Avi Kwa Ame National Monument will protect sacred Native American sites, wildlife.

Californians are accustomed to being battered by many of nature's whims. Less familiar are volcanic eruptions like the one currently taking place at Hawaii's Mauna Loa. But California's own volcanoes are capable of violent fury.

State and tribal officials gathered Nov. 14 at the state capitol to break ground on a new monument that will replace the statue of Father Junipero Serra.

The Wopumnes Tribe breaks ground Nov. 19 on the Nisenan Village Interpretive Garden in partnership with Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. The gathering begins at 11 a.m.

Beauty drew Brieanne Mirjah D'Souza to Eureka.

On Oct. 15 the IOOF Hall was dedicated as a California historical landmark. The event had originally been scheduled for Sept. 24, but was postponed because of the Mosquito Fire.

Gov. Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom recently joined the California Museum in announcing the 15th class of inductees into the California Hall of Fame. They join 138 Californians previously inducted for embodying the state’s innovative spirit.

Tahoe-Truckee, like any region in America that’s steeped in decades of history, isn’t immune to stories of supernatural sights and sounds. Here are some stories of history, mystery and lore associated from all sides of the lake.

Low-income patients who need specialized cancer treatment often struggle to get it. Advocates say a new law is a small step toward improving services for those patients.

Demolition of the Lakeside Inn in Stateline, Nev., began this spring with ancillary buildings coming down, but the main structure alongside U.S. Highway 50 will be razed on Oct. 3, officials said.

Lake Tahoe has endured many different eras of history, and all are woven into the fabric of its unique landscape. One way to take a trip back in time is to visit the iconic mansions and rustic cabin museums around the lake’s shores.

Now that the U.S. government has ordered the renaming of geographical features on federal lands to erase racist terms, five places in Placer County and two in El Dorado County have been renamed.

Recently the Jeepers Jamboree celebrated the 70th annual Jeepers event. From start to finish on the Rubicon Trail, reports columnist Meg Anderson, the event was every bit as great as expected.

Lake Tahoe Community College and local artist Shelley Zentner are partnering to host a one-year anniversary recognition of the Caldor Fire in the college’s Haldan Art Gallery. on Aug. 17 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the library building.

In nine books, preeminent California chronicler Kevin Starr ranges from the state’s pre-Columbian setting to the 21st century. His knowledge, scholarship and exquisite writing are as breathtaking as one’s first view of Yosemite Valley.

There are approximately 6 million items in the inventory of the California State Library. Four million of those are books, and nearly 2,000 of those are law books.

As part of its Reexamining Our Past Initiative, California State Parks is seeking input on a proposal to change the way history is interpreted at Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park. The effort will provide visitors with more inclusive and historically accurate information.

Sierra-at-Tahoe has announced plans to open for one weekend only, April 9-10, to celebrate 75 years of “history, cherished memories, good times and … tough times too.”

In June, California State Parks will consider a new name for part of Folsom Lake State Recreation Area called Negro Bar. The potential change has stirred up a debate over how Black history is preserved in California.

Volunteers of the Placerville and Sacramento Valley Railroad finally got their wish when a steam locomotive named The Chiggen took its maiden voyage along a section of tracks in Folsom. The locomotive will begin excursion service this year.

California State Parks, the Locke Foundation and members of the Chinese American community celebrated the opening of the Gam Saan Trail, which connects Hennigsen Lotus Park with Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. Gam Saan was the name given to the gold fields by Chinese 49ers.