Old Bear River Bridge, also called, "Bear River Historic Bridge," is located near Colfax, CA. The…read morebridge is located next to a taller and more modern bridge that is part of Route 174. This pair of bridges is about two miles to the north of Route 80. From Colfax, take Route 174 (also called, Colfax Highway) to the north. Route 174 crosses over a modern bridge, and once you've crossed this modern bridge you will find a turn-off that brings you into a dirt parking lot. Park your car in this lot. At one end of this parking lot is a stone monument with a plaque on it. Just beyond this stone monument is the north side of Old Bear River Bridge. The bridge is great for pedestrians, and vistors can gaze at the rushing waters arriving from Lake Rollins to the east. Visitors can also gaze at the waters rushing to the west and tumbling over boulders in the Bear River. Bear River continues for about nine miles until it reaches Lake Combie. The plaque has the following paragraph of writing on it: "OLD BEAR RIVER BRIDGE. Since 1852 bridges near this site have served as the gateway to western Nevada County. This 1924 span was the first concrete bridge at this site and features a Roman style single arch design, constructed in a continuous pour method. The Colfax Highway Association led a citizens group that saved the bridge from the wrecker's ball in 1986, and placed this monument in 1992." The pedestrian walkway on Old Bear River Bridge is about 20 feet lower down than Route 174, which crosses over the modern bridge. Because Old Bear River Bridge is lower, the modern bridge does not obscure the views to the west. An interesting sight from the southern end of Old Bear River Bridge is an aqueduct. This aqueduct is built on a hill rising from the southern banks of Bear River. Regarding the northern bank of Bear River, what is found here is a hiking trail that follows the river and takes you in a westerly direction. The trailhead is located near the stone monument (mentioned above), and the trail first takes you under the modern bridge, and then into a forest. I took this trail for about 20 minutes through the forest. From this trail, you are rewarded with occasional views of the Bear River below. Also, from this trail that are several small dirt trails that branch off from the main trail and lead you along a 50-foot descent down to the river's edge. ATTACHED PHOTOGRAPHS. 1. Plaque installed at north side of Old Bear River Bridge. 2. View downstream of Old Bear River Bridge, showing that the modern bridge is about 20 feet higher up than Old Bear River Bridge. 3. View of most of Old Bear River Bridge. I took this photograph from the trail that passes under the modern bridge (and under Route 174). 4. Aqueduct that is visible from the southern end of Old Bear River Bridge. 5. Looking east from Old Bear River Bridge. You can see little waterfalls. 6. Looking west from Old Bear River Bridge. From this vantage spot, you can see little waterfalls. 7. View of the dirt trail, showing a hiker wearing an orange backpack. 8. View of Bear River from the dirt trail.

The view of the river from the bridge is very nice, but unfortunately there is a lot of trash and…read moregraffiti which spoil the experience. We did not walk the trail, so maybe if you do that and get away from the parking area and bridges it is better.

The Loomis Train Depot is adorably decorated for Christmas. The Loomis Family Christmas Tree and…read morefestive Xmas themed photo cutouts of Santa Claus, elves, reindeer, and gingerbread people make for merry and bright holiday pictures. Tip: If you are at the counter of Taylors diner when a train whistles, you can get a free Kids Cone of soft serve ice cream.

Railroad history is a vibrant part of Placer County and the surrounding gold country towns. I grew…read moreup in Auburn, which has train tracks running all throughout it. I spent a lot of my childhood at my Grandma's house in Loomis, scurrying to the top of the playset to watch as trains flew past. I loved falling asleep to the gentle sounds of steel wheels hitting train tracks as a kid, and now that I live in midtown Sacramento, I still get to hear it, and it makes me happy. I'll stop being a Sheldon Cooper, and get on with it. Although trains have not stopped here for many years, the Loomis Train Depot has recently been restored to its former glory as a historical point of interest train station in the heart of the town of Loomis. You can't miss it. Just follow Horseshoe Bar Road from the Loomis exit off of I-80, past Taylor Road, until it dead ends at Blue Anchor Park, behind Taylor's, where you should also stop for a Golden Eagle Shake. GO DOHS! It is currently the site of town hall meetings, and inside you'll find a gavel and courtroom style chair set up along with a small train museum for enthusiasts. It's also an awesome venue for a small party or in this month's case, a bridal shower. There are plenty of chairs, tables, and a kitchen complete with sink, trash cans, microwave and fridge. I liked this location as a venue so much that I have my eye on it for the future. Folks wanting to reserve this space should contact that business number listed, or check out the facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Loomis-Train-Depot-130172910379866/.

We have always loved coming to Yankee Jim's! Unfortunately…read morethe swim hole is closed for the next 4 years due to construction of the new bridge on top. So sad but so excited to go back!

Ok...my sister came here yesterday...and I love waterfalls so I asked here where it was…read more This place is located in colfax ca. If you type in Yankee Jim's bridge...it will come up on Google maps...please download the map...BECAUSE YOU WILL LOSE SERVICE. Once you get on Yankee Jim's road...it is paved...then turns into a dirt road for about 3 miles. You need to drive slow...no rails...and a long drop.. some places are narrow...and yes a car can drive on that road. I have a civic and had no problems. But drive slow...some people go a little faster...there are little pot holes here and there. You can drive across the bridge...I did...my mom was scared...but not me... Once you arrive at the bridge...there is a portapotty...and a few places to park. If you drive over the bridge...there is additional parking...and stairs that lead to a path to the river. If you keep driving just about .25 miles more...you will see a beautiful waterfall on your left... There is a 3 mile hike to a beautiful swimming hole...I did not go there...but you can see pictures on Google. This place is so beautiful...I saw people with kayaks and fishing poles. The path to the river can be accessed from a trail to right of portapotty...or by stairs across the bridge. I would recommend coming here if your looking for a day trip...or something to do.

The firehouse was erected in 1891 by volunteers. What a wonderful piece of history here. Look at…read morethe hose on that firetruck. Very grateful to be able to see that it's been kept up and in good shape.

September 29, 2020…read more This is review for Maestro or Maestra a few notes on the piano if you please historic landmark called Historic Firehouse Station 1 (One). It is in Auburn, California. Was a firehouse. Built year 1888. Became registered historic landmark year 2011. Free to look inside. One can see what equipment used in those days to fight fires. Yes there were hoses, they looked different those days. Those days most the firefighters were volunteers. They would pass buckets of water to help to put out the fires. Lots big rocks, sometimes take to paint rocks back at the house where staying.

August 6, 2025…read more Update of any my comments now one thousand three hundred ninety three! City Hall has a historic one room school house museum, Second Floor, room five! Named for a former school principal! Those days, one had show respect to the teacher! When the teacher called on a student, the student had to stand at one side of the desk, answer the question in complete sentence! Bow or curtsy and answer the question in complete teacher! Churning butter, you students now days should appreciate parent is able buy butter from grocery store or those days called the Trading Post! Those days, the students, even the Adults, had to churn the butter, it could take many hours! This school house will be having an anniversary of one hundred ten years August 9, 2025! It first had school classes in year 1915, hence upcoming one hundred ten year of celebration. Think last year for classes was in year 1964!

My friend and I were strolling around Old Town Auburn when we saw this very grand building on top…read moreof the hill. We both wondered if that's their City Hall... Convinced that it probably is (it's not), we decided to hike up the hill to take a closer look only to realize as we hiked up that it was a lot farther away. Also we were surprised at the very steep hills here. So we made the decision to walk back down toward the center of Old Town and drove the parked car up to what we now realized is the Historic Courthouse. Built in 1898, it is now also the site of the current Placer County Superior Court (2nd floor) and The Placer County Museum which is located on the 1st floor. Of note, there's a Placer County women's jail (exhibit) which is a makeshift cell underneath the north staircase that was put here in 1905 due to it being too expensive to house women prisoners in local hotels and too dangerous to house them with men in the main jail. Located on Maple Street and Union Street.

This is a really cool historic courthouse. THE FOLLOWING WAS…read moreCPOIED FROM THE WEB SITE: Built in 1898, this courthouse is an elegantly-designed look into the history of Auburn. The beautifully restored Courthouse, which echoes many of the design elements in the state capital building, The Placer County Museum is also located on the first floor of the courthouse. They also have a historical small jail room that was built especially for women because prior to that they could not intermingle men and women in the same jail cells so they would put them up in a hotel room prior to this jail, self being built. The grounds are very well kept and there are plenty of photo ops.

First visited while stationed at Beale in 1976. Was impressed with the artwork - pencil or chalk -…read morewhatever they allowed the misbehaving inmates. Visited again in 2020 while there updating my retired ID card. It appeared unchanged. Felt kind of timeless. I visited from overhead a few times since with Google Maps. Today, I searched for it. It appears to have been removed. That would be a sad thing. Probably political correctness of some kind. Some of the drawings were definitely of the pinup variety.

I had a chance to see the Beale POW Camp years ago. We were with a military friend who lived near…read moreand had a pass so no issues getting in. We went over to the concrete confinement cell block where German WWII prisoners who caused trouble in the camp had been kept. There were mostly Germans in the camp but possibly a few Italians, mainly captured by Rommel's forces in Africa. We were able to walk around the cell block and look inside through the small windows to see the writing and drawings on the walls. Some of the drawings were rather impressive art work. That is all that is left of the prison area, 10 tiny rooms, each about the size of a box stall for a horse. There were not all that many pows there, I think they only had about 1000 prisoners at the most at this base. Most of the camps were small. 46 of the 48 states had pow camps, with most camps in the southern and southwestern states, but the many small camps held a large number of prisoners when added together.

I've stopped on main Street placerville dozens of times over the last 20 years or so. Today I…read moreplugged in at the Bank of America to charge my EV and decided to take a walk. There's a lot of interesting facts about placerville and the buildings on this street, but the street and the folks hanging out here are just not a good vibe. Stop through once, take some pictures around the historic buildings, ead up on the Gold Rush, then get out of town.