The Placer County Archives maintains a collection of official Placer County Records regarding the filing of a Land Claim.

The Gold Rush of 1848-49 brought thousands of hopeful miners to what would become Placer County. Although miners were notorious for moving about in search of better gold fields, this area was settled early in the Gold Rush by farmers, merchants, bankers, and tradesmen. Placer County was formed in 1851 and official record keeping began. Many of the Land Claims in this collection are Pre-emptive or Squatter’s Rights claims. Many properties in early Placer County had been settled before an organized government was in place. Land Claims and Pre-emptive Claims allowed those who had settled and improved their property to legally claim it.

5 Volumes, one box of loose pages

The Collection is open for research by appointment. A separate index has been created for the volumes A, B and C and is available at the Archives. Appointment times are available on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays from 9-3.