It's close to Sacramento…a slice of the Old West…and it's a fair bet that many people have never paid a visit! But our Mike Sanford managed to find the town of Folsom…and discovered that it's much more than just the site of a prison. In fact, it can make for a delightful weekend getaway.

Who knew…just a couple of miles off highway 50…one would find a place right out of the old west. Not one of the better-known gold rush towns in the foothills…but the heart of the Sacramento valley.
Folsom may be surrounded by subdivisions and other evidence of modern life…but it clings to its past with a gentle and stubborn tenacity. This was the western terminus for the pony express…where miners and farmers came to fulfill their dreams of gold and arable land.

The Sacramento valley railroad was designed and built by Theodore Judah, who'd been brought from New York by Joseph Folsom. Folsom owned the land upon which the town was built, and knew a rail line would help the town thrive. It was an immediate success…. Carrying gold from the mother lode and produce from the fields around Folsom…and bringing new settlers from towns like Sacramento.

Though the rail line shut down in the 1950's, the turntable was restored in 1999 at the original site. And rail buffs like Bill Anderson say they hope to start up an excursion train from Sacramento to El Dorado County sometime within the next couple of years. But for now… you can arrange with the folks from the Sacramento valley railroad to give the turntable a 'spin.' nearby, an old Santa Fe coach acts as a small railroad museum. You can also learn more about the town at the Folsom history museum just across the street. Or see it actually being preserved at the Folsom history interpretive center, where volunteers keep alive old skills like blacksmithing.

Here, entire 150-year old buildings have been carefully taken apart, moved and re-assembled….like a Wells Fargo stagecoach stop…the Ashland train station...and this farmhouse.
Ed tanner spends countless hours donating his time and skills.

Along Sutter Street, you'll find that same sense of timelessness…or perhaps timeliness. At 'in time again', one of many antique stores, Al Setnik and his fellow craftspeople repair, restore and sell a remarkable collection of clocks…some dating back to the late 1700's.

More history…and another first. The Folsom powerhouse, built in 1895 with inmate labor from the nearby prison, is today a state historic park. It's also the first plant in the nation to transmit electrical power over a distance - 3000 kilowatts of alternating current sent a grand total of 22 miles to light up Sacramento. By comparison, that output is only about 2-percent of what's generated by the modern-day Folsom dam power plant.

There are a surprising number of good restaurants in the area…some of them pricey…others have inexpensive, tasty fare, like the Sutter street grill. Places to stay? For comfort and modern convenience, the lake Natoma inn's a good choice. For a historic feel, the Bradley house was built in 1859. The restored farmhouse has four guest rooms ranging from ninety to 120-dollars a night.

Folsom…a taste of history…beyond the burbs and before the foothills.

Contact Info:
Folsom Chamber of Commerce
200 Wool Street
Folsom, CA 95630
(916) 985-2698
www.folsomchamber.com

Sacramento Valley Railroad
F.E.D.S. Historical Railroad Association, Inc.
198 Wool Street
P.O. Box 6404
Folsom, CA. 95763-6404
(916) 985-6001
www.fedshra.org

Folsom History Museum
823 Sutter Street
Folsom, CA. 95630
(916) 985-2707
www.folsomhistorymuseum.org
Hours: Wed.-Sun. 11-4
Admission: $1/children under 12 free

Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park
c/o Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
7806 Folsom-Auburn Road
Folsom, CA. 95630
For information: Ca. State Parks
(800) 777-0369
www.parks.ca.gov

Historic Sutter Street
Sutter Street Merchants Association
P.O. Box 515
Folsom, CA. 95763-515
(916) 985-7452
www.historicfolsom.net

Folsom History Interpretative Area
200 Wool Street
Folsom, CA. 95630
(916) 985-2707
Hours: Friday 8:30-1:00
Sat./Sun. 11-4pm
Admission:Free

The Bradley House
606 Figueroa Street
Folsom, CA. 95630
(916) 355-1962
E-mail FolsomBB@AOL.com
Owners: Susan & Jerry Mehring

Lake Natoma Inn
(800) 808-LAKE (5253)