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Town History
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The origins of the historic township of El Dorado date back prior to the 1850s when it was identified as Mud Springs, a watering hole for livestock along the road which connected Sacramento to Hangtown (Placerville). It is said the watering of stock turned the springs into an area of muck and mud, which explains the derivation of the name. When emigrant gold seekers pitched tents around the springs, the 1850 census lists the names of 462 inhabitants. The Post Office was established in 1851.
Historic El Dorado Photo Gallery
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By 1854 the site reportedly had
grown to 2,100 inhabitants, prompting the establishment of a community
newspaper by T. A. Springer, the former editor of the Placerville El
Dorado Republican. In September of 1854, Mud Springs formed a County Seat
Committee and entered a contest to designate "the permanent
location" of the county seat. Mud Springs polled between 679 or 685
votes, mostly from Mud Springs and Logtown. The town boosters determined
that no matter what other advantages the community might have, the name
"Mud Springs" was likely to deter growth and invite ridicule. What
better name change than to that of the county, a name that meant "Gold"
or "The Gilded One." The Coloma
newspaper, the Empire County Argus April 21, 1855 edition, announced the
incorporation and name change to "El Dorado." The historic
township is registered as California Historical landmark #486.