Brian Creel

On my way back from servicing a listing of mine (1862 Victorian complete with a guest house and a General Store, located in Greenwood Ca.) I stopped to take in the view and test out my new camera. This is one of the many reasons I choose to work and live in this county.

http://www.4031mainstreet.blogspot.com

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http://www.gofamilyhomes.com/

My First Segment in a series about Historic Placerville

Many a morning as I sit in the local coffee shop "Centro" I gaze at the bell tower, and for some reason the sencond to last paragraph of this story runs through my mind. (The tower has watched most of Placerville's history pass beneath it, especially in the days when the plaza was the center of life. People met beneath its bell to share the news, discuss the weather and to watch the world go by.)

The Story of the BellTower

The BellTower on Historic Main Street is a unique sight. Not many towns can boast of such a structure in the middle of their town. It has its own history, and in its day served a most vital and important role. It was first called "the Plaza".

Placerville suffered three fires in 1856 which destroyed a good portion of the business section. The citizens realized the need for an alarm system to quickly call their volunteer fire department, so a bell was ordered from England to serve their purpose.

Cast in 1860, it arrived in Placerville in 1865 and the City gave approval to place it in a tower on the Plaza - at the cost of $380.00. First a 25 foot high wooden tower was built in 1878, and then in 1898 a steel structure was built to replace it. This tower rose 50 feet from an 11 foot square concrete base, with a drinking fountain in the center. It had cast-iron ornaments topped with a weather vane and featured a miniature bronze fireman holding aloft a red globe containing an electric light. When completed it was presented to the city on September 8, 1898 during their Admission Day celebration,

The Tower was dismantled and moved to Cannon Hill in 1911. Cannon Hill received its name because in the early days, there was on top of the hill a National Guard Armory that had a mounted cannon in front of the building and thus the name "Cannon Hill" was given to the area. Electrical difficulties in ringing the bell from Cannon Hill resulted in the bell being moved back to the plaza in 1912. It stood there through the years until a car struck the Plaza in 1965, almost toppling over the bell.

It had become somewhat shabby over the years and some were in favor of its removal. But the old timers, remembering why it was there, insisted it should be saved. Finally, in 1969, the City Council and the Placerville Fire Department voted to renovate the structure and the project was completed in 1970 with an electric siren installed to replace the new silent bell for the second time. The first electric siren was installed by the late Joseph Leonardi assisted by several linemen of the old Western States Gas and Electric Co.(later purchased by P. G. & E.) This occurred sometime between 1920 and 1921 shortly before the Ohio House burned. Along with the 1970 installation, three other sirens were installed. One near El Dorado High School and Bennett Park; one in "Upper Town"(now Broadway) near the Lutheran Church; and one on the Sacramento Street Fire House (Station No. 1).

The tower has watched most of Placerville's history pass beneath it, especially in the days when the plaza was the center of life. People met beneath its bell to share the news, discuss the weather and to watch the world go by.

Celebrations were big occasions in days gone by with bands, parades, dances, speeches and picnics, and they usually were centered on the Plaza. Pictures taken on Main Street on these special days show large crowds, and in the background, the BellTower, with glorious decorations of bunting, flags, and garlands. Even today, a long standing tradition of decorating the BellTower on the 4th of July remains.

Support the youth of today by supporting the Youth Commission of El Dorado County: finding the gold in our youth!

EL DORADO COUNTY YOUTH COMMISSION

Presents...

ALL YOU CAN EAT SPAGHETTI FEED

with SILENT AUCTION

When; Friday, April 11, 2008 6:00 P.M. to 8:30 P.M.

Where; Union Mine High School - 6530 Koki Lane El Dorado

How Much; Tickets: $10

Get yours from a youth commissioner or the 4-H office: 311 Fair Lane, Placerville.

For more information, call (530) 621-5503.

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April Soccer Clinics - Open to all players ages 6-15

Where: Indian Creek Elementary (see directions below)

Dated: April 3, 10, 17, and 24

Time: 4:00pm to 5:30pm

Bring: Cleats, shin guards, a ball, water

Indian Creek School - 6701 Green Valley Road
Directions: From Hwy 50, take the Missouri Flat Road exit. Travel NORTH on Missouri Flat Road, go just past the Office of Education and turn immediately RIGHT into school parking lot. Distance is 1.8 miles from Hwy 50, allow 4 minutes.

Here are the area youth soccer leagues

http://goldnuggetsoccer.com/

http://www.highsierrasoccer.org/

http://www.sierragoldsoccer.org/Welcome.htm

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Mark Hegarty wins "Toastmasters area 74 international speech contest" Following his award winning speech Wednesday night, the president of Hangtown Toastmasters remarked "We are proud to have Mr. Hegarty in our club. He is carrying on the long tradition of success we have enjoyed" In addition to owning "Hegarty Law Offices" (http://www.hegartylaw.com/) Mr. Hegarty is also a local real estate investor that has brought pride to Placerville and El Dorado County community by rehabilitating Historic Homes in the area.

Dr. Petrice Foxworthy Area 74 Governor and owner of Cambridge Chiropractic (http://www.cambridgechiropractic.com/) was the presiding officer, and did a remarkable job coordinating the event. Michael Kenison a top notch financial advisor with Morgan Stanley was one of 5 distinguished judges selecting Hegarty as the winner.

"We continue to show the commitment of our members," remarked Treasurer Peter Gerrard. "We have an incredible Club that has helped people become more confident speaking in front of audiences large and small."

Mr. Hegarty will go on to compete in the "2008 Division G International Speech Contest" Friday, April 11^th, at the Sacramento County Administration Building, 700 H Street. There will be a potluck dinner at 6:30 pm followed by the contest at 7:00 pm. "A speech contest, especially at the division level, is an exciting event. You will have the opportunity to see several top-notch speeches" says Phil Morrison Division G Governor. Visitors are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Since its founding in 1962, Hangtown Toastmasters has helped hundreds in El Dorado County develop and enhance their public speaking and leadership skills. Toastmasters is a non-profit organization that follows a structured educational program that has been very successful. "Our current members have over 80 years of Public Speaking experience combined," said Gerrard. "El Dorado County residents have relied on our organization to further their careers and effectively improve communication in all areas of their lives."

Hangtown Toastmasters meets every Wednesday from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Bahai Center, 484 Pleasant Valley Road (Main Street), Suite 6, Diamond Springs.

Club meetings are open to anyone who would like to improve their communication and leadership skills. For more information, visit the club in person, you can also check out their website at http://www.hangtowntoastmasters.com/

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