Northern California is full of places with creepy stories that seem to linger. We even compiled a road trip that leads you to the most haunted places in NorCal! However, the town featured here has a seriously spooky presence and is known to contain occasionally-nuts paranormal activity. Placerville is a quaint town with a relatively small population of 10,389 people. The town has a rich history that started with the Gold Rush, and it seems that spirits from this past still linger to this day. This haunted town in Northern California is also one of the most intriguing.

Placerville's original name, Hangtown, is a good indicator of the town's gruesome history. Located approximately two hours outside of Sacramento, this place is one of California's very first Gold Rush towns.
Sharon Hahn Darlin/Flickr
Placerville is a town born from the gold rush era. The town grew immensely with the discovery of gold over 150 years ago. It was a true Wild West town, in which justice for criminals was served swiftly and with force. The town was initially known as "Hangtown" for using hanging as the primary means of prosecuting outlaws. Today, Placerville is a town frozen in time. The town's main street is comprised of historic buildings that have been standing since the town's establishment. Despite the fact that many of California's mining towns became abandoned as the gold rush dwindled, Placerville remains home to many residents. In fact, many of the people who live here are descendants from the town's early days.
However, the town is also home to many lost souls from the afterlife, too. People travel from all over to get a taste of the insane paranormal activity that takes place here.
Carole Waller/Flickr
The spirit that is probably most famous among locals is the Hangman's Tree Saloon Ghost. The spirit is thought to be one of the saloon's early owners, but it might be one of the souls who perished at the hanging tree in front of the saloon. Whoever it is, the ghost is known as quite the trickster. Employees of the saloon report objects moving or missing without explanation.

Related Stories

Go On A Ghost Walk To See This Northern California City's Most Haunted Spots This Spooky Season

Go On A Ghost Walk To See This Northern California City's Most Haunted Spots This Spooky Season

 This Closed Northern California Prison Is Thought To Be One Of The Most Haunted Place On Earth

This Closed Northern California Prison Is Thought To Be One Of The Most Haunted Place On Earth

 Out Of All The Hauntings Surrounding The Small Town Of Crescent City, Northern California, This One Might Just Be The Creepiest

Out Of All The Hauntings Surrounding The Small Town Of Crescent City, Northern California, This One Might Just Be The Creepiest
The saloon isn't the only haunted place in Placerville. The Historic Cary House Hotel is also a hot spot of paranormal activity.
Rook H/TripAdvisor
The hotel has been around for a long time (since 1857!) and has hosted many famous guests over the years including Mark Twain, Levi Strauss, and Buffalo Bill. The huge, four-story structure is an amazing reminder of Placerville's past.
However, the hotel also houses a number of non-living residents.
John M/TripAdvisor
Guests have witnessed firsthand creepy occurrences including shaking doorknobs, unexplained voices and laughter, televisions turning on and off, and even full-body apparitions. The hotel has definitely experienced its fair share of scary entities.
Placerville is much more than the creepy happenings that occur here. However, if you're looking to see a ghost with your own eyes...this is going to be the place for you.
Kent Kanouse/Flickr
The authenticity of this Wild West town is what makes it so charming. But there's no denying that something unearthly lingers here.

Have you been to Placerville? Did you observe any paranormal activity? Don’t forget to check out the 10 Most Terrifying Places in Northern California if you’re up for a good scare!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Haunted Town in Northern California

Tori Jane | October 11, 2021

What are some interesting, haunted places in Northern California?  

Northern California might be known for its breathtaking natural beauty, but maybe it should also be known for its downright creepiness in some places! Northern California is no stranger to hauntings and bizarre goings-on, and naturally, we have a few favorites we love to tell folks about! Some of the most interesting haunted places in Northern California include Crescent City’s mysterious (and beautiful) Battery Point Lighthouse, which is said to be haunted by the ghost of a former lighthouse keeper back in the day. Things tend to move around on their own in this place, and it’s said that “he” - the ghost – is particularly fond of a rocking chair in the house. In Arcata, you can find an interesting (but eerie) haunted brewery, where you can grab a beer and maybe mingle with ghosts. Disembodied voices are a common phenomenon reported there, so keep your ears open! In Scotia, you’ll find the notoriously haunted Scotia Inn, which is said to be haunted by a ghost named “Frank”. Need more? Take a look at this road trip, which will take you to each of these places and then some in beautiful Northern California!  

Where is Placerville, California? 

Placerville is a beautiful little town that serves as the county seat for El Dorado County, California. It was once a booming gold-rush town, though nowadays things are a little less exciting there than they used to be. Of course, there’s no shortage of supposed ghosts here, and that’s no surprise; oftentimes, old gold rush towns are filled with history, and with history comes plenty of spooks, too. Placerville is between Sacramento and south Lake Tahoe, and it’s quite beautiful year-round, with pleasant and warm summers and mild winters.  

Related Articles

Explore Northern California

Featured Addresses
Placerville, CA 95667, USA