You don’t have to be a history buff to appreciate Folsom’s interesting past. While the Gold Rush significantly influenced it (after all, it’s less than 40 miles from Sutter’s Mill, where James Marshall discovered gold in 1848), the city’s history was also transformed by railroad, pioneers, agriculture, and business.
Perhaps the best place to start is in Historic Folsom. Called ‘the place where the west came and stayed,’ it’s home to several historical sites, along with shopping, dining, and more.
The Folsom History Museum houses a permanent exhibit of Folsom’s history, dating back to the beginning when it was the home to the Nisenan tribe, all the way to the present day. From historic maps and artifacts to the stories behind the Gold Rush and Folsom’s founding, you can discover the city’s intriguing past – and see how it’s shaped Folsom today.
Pioneer Village, situated in the heart of Historic Folsom, is an outdoor living history museum with interactive exhibits such as gold panning, a miner’s cabin, an authentic Southern Pacific Railroad caboose, and a genuine working blacksmith forge!
Learn about the advent of rail at the nearby Folsom Railroad Museum, housed in a Santa Fe passenger train car! While there, don’t miss the Historic Railroad Turntable that was built in 1856.
Once you’re done discovering Folsom’s history, treat yourself with a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants, bakeries, and cafes. Or explore the boutiques, retail shops, and specialty stores housed in historic buildings in the Folsom Historic District.