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Placerville, California: Hanged Dummy at Hangman's Tree

A dummy dangles from a noose outside the Hangman's Tree bar. The stump of the white oak tree used in Placerville's first hanging (1849) is supposedly in the building's basement (Placerville was originally named Hangtown). A plaque next to city hall asks for empathy for the hangmen.

Address:
316 Main St., Placerville, CA
Directions:
Main St. north side, east of Sacramento St.
RA Rates:
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Visitor Tips and News About Hanged Dummy at Hangman's Tree

Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.

Hanging Man

Still hanging around, supervising Old Town Placerville!

[Brian R., 04/25/2022]

Placerville was once known as "Hangtown" for its terminal approach to frontier justice.

Hangman's Tree

There is no tree stump left -- and actually the tree was next door, not even at the saloon. The sheriff was out of town when the three men were tried by a group that had no business doing so, then hanged. It was sad what they got away with.

[Tricia, 03/15/2022]

The stump of the hangman's tree is supposedly kept in the saloon's basement.

Hanged Dummy at Hangman's Tree

The Dummy is still there, but the Hangman's Tree is no longer a tavern; it's an ice cream parlor.

[Dwight, 10/14/2017]

Delivering a double-scoop of Wild West justice.

Hanged dummy.

Hangtown Dummy

Saw him hanging proudly today! Now the building below had a new business, no longer a condemned building!

[Princess Jewell, 04/01/2017]

Hangman's Tree historic spot.

Hanged Dummy at Hangman's Tree

Interesting place! I saw a noose but no dummy.

[Janet, 04/24/2016]

Nearby Offbeat Places

Paul Bunyan (Bunyon) StatuePaul Bunyan (Bunyon) Statue, Placerville, CA - 5 mi.
Fence of BootsFence of Boots, Placerville, CA - 4 mi.
Towering Grave of California's Gold DiscovererTowering Grave of California's Gold Discoverer, Coloma, CA - 7 mi.
In the region:
Bicentennial Gold Mining Nozzle, Colfax, CA - 27 mi.

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