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| Landmark #142 | El Dorado County | Visited: April 5, 2015 | Plaque? YES! 🙂 |
| What is it? | A tiny little plaque in a flower bed! |
| What makes it historical? | THE GUIDE SAYS: This shop was built in the early 1850s. The front part housed a blacksmith shop operated by Ollis and Hinds, and John Mohler Studebaker rented a part of the rear. Here he had a bench and sort of woodworking shop where he repaired and worked on wagon wheels and the like. A little later he began to make wheelbarrows for the miners’ use. He became engaged in the making of ammunition wagons for the Union Army – from that grew his extensive wagon and carriage business and, eventually, the automobile business.
OTHER TIDBITS: Mr. Studebaker came to California at 19 because his wanderlust wouldn’t let him stay in South Bend, Indiana! His success at building wheelbarrows earned him the nickname “Wheelbarrow Johnny!” When he returned to Indiana with $8,000 cash, he bought out his older brother from their carriage making company and discovered the horseless carriage! Seeing this as the wave of the future, Mr. Studebaker started investing in electric cars and built one of America’s most recognizable auto companies! |
| How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
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| Where is this place? | LISTED DIRECTIONS: 543 Main St Placerville, CA 95667 ANNOTATIONS: From Los Angeles: ~425mi (684km) — 7.1hrs |
| When should I go? | Whenever the mood strikes you! |