More downtown Placerville building write ups from the Placerville Historic Resources Inventory. 489 Main Street - City Hall On August 4, 1859, Moses Miller placed a Mechanics Lien against Jane Johnson in the amount of $221.89 for labor and materials used in the construction of a building situated near Stony Point, on the north side of Main Street. The building measured 19’ 10”, and ran back 68’. Apparently the building was finally finished in 1861, according to the date plate at the top of the building. According to local legend, the property was first purchased by Mary Jane Shoyers, often referred to as “Emigrant Jane” who reportedly crossed the plains with a band of horses she sold in “Hangtown”. The money obtained from the sale of the horses was used to purchase this property. Emigrant Jane appears to have also been known as Mary Jane Johnson; prior to 1874, she married W. D. Allison, and was living with her husband in Santa Cruz County when she sold the property to Joseph Rolleri, Feburary 9, 1876. On July 14, 1913, Placerville was once again visited by fire, leaving some of its beautiful buildings gutted by the flames. The Rolleri building, as it was known at the time, was gutted by flames, with only the walls of the beautiful building remaining. The building, as it is seen today, was finished during the latter part of 1913. 487 Main Street - Confidence Building Confidence Engine Company #1 had many members that were pioneers or descendants of the pioneers of El Dorado County and were among the leading men of Placerville. The “Confidence Boys”, as they are often referred to in the local newspapers were also very proud of their library of books housed in the offices on the second floor. The Confidence Engine Company #1, after having kept up their organization for twelve years with very little assistance from the city , withdrew as an active company in the Placerville Fire Department on June 19, 1869, stating the company has been forced to because of indebtedness on their building and heavy taxation to themselves in order to keep their property. The citizens of Placerville, however, were not satisfied with the withdrawal of the engine company and opened a subscription list; the city of Placerville, also willing to participate in the interest and welfare of the city, gave a festival on July 31 at the Pavilion for the benefit of the Confidence Engine Company #1. This proved a fine affair and a financial success; the receipts were $396.35. This, together with the amount subscribed by the citizens, aggregated a sufficient sum to pay off all the indebtedness of the company and to make all the necessary repairs on their building. Thus, Confidence Engine Company #1 was reorganized on July 9, 1869; they have been taking an active part, when called for assistance, ever since. Confidence Engine House, after the old building had been partially destroyed by fire in September of 1860, was erected at the present site in the late fall of 1860; the expenses were covered to a certain part by subscription. Many times in the history of the Confidence Engine Company, the second floor was used as a dance hall for annual balls and various other fund raising events.
Posted on: Fri, 22 Aug 2014 14:39:06 +0000