Placerville, Idaho

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Placerville is a city in Boise County, Idaho, United States. The population was 60 at the 2000 census.

[edit] Geography

Placerville is located at 43°56′36″N, 115°56′47″W (43.943287, -115.946444)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.6 km² (1.0 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 60 people, 30 households, and 23 families residing in the city. The population density was 23.2/km² (59.9/mi²). There were 77 housing units at an average density of 29.7/km² (76.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 100.00% White.

There were 30 households out of which 10.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.0% were married couples living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.3% were non-families. 23.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.00 and the average family size was 2.22.

In the city the population was spread out with 11.7% under the age of 18, 11.7% from 25 to 44, 50.0% from 45 to 64, and 26.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 55 years. For every 100 females there were 114.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 112.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,625, and the median income for a family was $35,625. Males had a median income of $53,750 versus $30,208 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,298. There were no families and 11.3% of the population living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and 20.0% of those over 64. History

The town of Placerville was founded in December, 1862, when thousands of miners began to enter Boise Basin to search for gold. By June 1863, the population of Placerville was 2,000 people. Initially the first stop for suppliers coming into the Basin, Placerville became an important center for mining claims spread throughout the surrounding hills. Idaho City, its chief rival, had a longer mining season and soon eclipsed Placerville to become the main Boise Basin town and the county seat of Boise County.

Unlike the earlier Idaho mining areas of Florence and Pierce, the Boise Basin mines provided good returns over a period of many years, the peak years being 1863 through 1866. For that reason the Boise Basin rush was significant in early Idaho settlement, bringing a substantial number of people who stayed to establish towns and providing a population base for retailing and agricultural settlement in the Boise Valley. Boise Basin had a higher percentage of families than did most mining areas, and the major towns, like Placerville and Idaho City, acquired substantial buildings, lodges, churches, schools, and post offices. Placerville was unusual in that it even had a street grid and a town square, known locally as the “plaza.” Additionally it had an Episcopal church, thirteen saloons, seven restaurants, five butcher shops, five blacksmith shops, as well as hotels, druggists, express agents, bakeries, livery barns, carpenters, sawmills, and –attesting to the presence of women—dressmakers and a millinery shop.

Mining in Placerville began with placer workings for gold, but miners soon turned to quartz mining as well. By 1864, a stamp mill was working in the area. Hydraulic giants were also used. By 1870, however, much of the excess population of the region had been drained off to other mining rushes and returns on claims had fallen somewhat. The population in Placerville shrank from 2500 in 1863 and 1864 to 318 in 1870. By that time a good percentage of the population was Chinese, as the Chinese were allowed to work the less rewarding claims that the white miners would not touch. The Chinese also established services like laundries and restaurants.

As was the case in most mining towns, Placerville suffered more than once from fires that burned a large part of the town. The fire that is most remembered is the 1899 fire, which practically destroyed the town. The streetscape remaining today dates mostly from the rebuilding immediately after that fire and another fire that burned several buildings ten months later. A few buildings of earlier date also survive.

During the war years Placerville just maintained like the rest of the nation. Wartime restrictions included a suspension of the mining industry. There was no growth only a feeling of “things have to get better.” Those hardy souls who stuck it out were tried and true pioneers.

In the early 1970s the upper lots were auctioned off creating what was and are now known as the “upper subdivision.” There were both permanent and vacation homes built on these lots. Then as now there was only one business in Placerville, the town store.

Placerville continues to survive with the few full time residents, some part time residents, the Village Market store and the tourism industry which includes among others, history seekers, hunters and ATV and snowmobile recreationalists. The incorporated city is governed by a Mayor and City Council which meets regularly at City Hall. The town is served by the Placerville Fire department which has its fire station located adjacent to the town plaza and the East Boise County ambulance service. There are two city museums which are maintained by public donation and volunteers and are open weekends from Memorial Day to Labor Day and by special request.

At the writing of this Comprehensive Plan the Village Market continues to be the center and gathering place for the town citizens and visitors from far and wide. The manager reports that there are people coming in every week inquiring about property and places for sale. Within the last six months seven new families have moved into town, some permanent residents and some only part time. It seems as if the potential for growth is greater now than ever before.