About The City of Auburn

"Gold! Gold! Eureka! I found it!" It was in the Auburn Ravine, Rich Ravine and Baltimore Ravine waterways where these exuberant cries first echoed. The Chana, Woods and Stevens parties were all part of the early exploring groups in search of gold in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. May 16, 1848, was the date most remembered by Claude Chana--when he discovered gold in Auburn Ravine. Chana's lucky find was the first gold discovery in Placer County.

The area quickly developed into a robust mining and supply camp, and it became officially known as Auburn in 1849. In 1850, the population had grown to 1,500, and Auburn became the seat of Placer County in 1851. First on horseback and mule, then by wagon and stagecoach, the settlers traversed along Nevada, Sacramento, Auburn Folsom and Foresthill trails. The trails would later become commercial and residential streets, and they are still in use today. The Central Railroad came to Auburn in 1865 following a heated contest with its competitors. Auburn was first incorporated in 1860 and again in 1888. The stately Placer County Courthouse was constructed in 1898 at the site of the 1853 Court House Building structure.

As It Is Now

Auburn is bursting with energy, optimism and spirit as in the "Days of '49." Emphasizing the endurance rides and runs of eons past, today the spirited Tevis Cup ride and the UltraMarathon run combine the best of the original trails winding through numerous mining camps and ending near the Auburn Ravine--where it all began back in the spring of 1848.

The City of Auburn has 12,500 residents within the city limits and an estimated 44,000 population in the greater Auburn area. Auburn owns and operates the Auburn Municipal Airport. The city encourages industrial growth through its Airport Industrial Park and light industry in other parts of the city. Visitors can enjoy one-of-a-kind shopping and dining experiences in the commercial business districts of Downtown, Old Town, Auburn Town Center, and Highway 49. The combined business districts have 49 great restaurants to satisfy diverse appetites, specialty clothing and gift stores, antique stores, art galleries, book stores, museums, and area wineries and wine tasting. Visitors from out of town can stay at the Auburn Holiday Inn, with 96 rooms, conference rooms, nearby restaurants and located an easy walking distance to all business districts. Auburn also has a new multiplex movie theater. And speaking of movies . . . Auburn has been the filming locale for such movies as "Overboard," "Phenomenon," "Rocky and Bullwinkle," "Breakdown," and "XXX."

The City Services

The Auburn City Hall business offices are housed in the building once known as Auburn Grammar School. The 1915 structure was designed by the noted San Francisco architect William H. Weeks and was designated a Point of Historic Interest by the Placer County Historical Society in 1991. The city operates its own Auburn Transit bus system and, in cooperation with Placer County, offers bus transfers between the two systems. The city's new Auburn Station has been completed and provides travel access for the Amtrak Capitol Corridor and local bus transportation. The historic Placer County Courthouse houses the superior courts and a museum, and it is conveniently located between Downtown and Old Town business districts. A number of interesting museums are located for easy access from Downtown and Old Town. Historical walking tours are available in Old Town. The Sutter Auburn Faith Community Hospital is a few short miles from town. The Auburn Public Library is conveniently located, as well as churches to meet the needs of many different faiths. The Downtown district is home to the very active Boys and Girls Club and Teen Center, as well as the state-owned and operated Gold Country Fairgrounds. And the new Auburn Skate Park is within walking distance from Downtown. Auburn Recreation District sponsors numerous organized sports programs for all ages, which are offered at the recreation center and several recreational parks in the immediate area.