Placerville, California

This small town has a colorful past.  Originally known as 'Old Hangtown', Placerville was the site of lynchings of the many gold-fever-induced robbers and murderers.  The stump of the famous hanging tree still remains in the cellar of one of Placerville's main street saloons. Placerville was also on the line of the Pony Express, a short-lived mail carrier service that connected California to the Midwest and Eastern United States. Each October, this small town hosts the Art & Wine Festival. Wine tasting is provided by dozens of local vineyard representatives, local artisans display their crafts, and music emanates from the famous Bell Tower in the middle of historic Main Street.
Placerville lies at the junction of state Route 49 and 50.