El Dorado

FPO - The origins of the historic township of El Dorado date back before the 1850s when it was identified as Mud Springs, a watering hole for livestock along the road which connected Sacramento to Hangtown (Placerville). It is said the watering of stock turned the springs into an area of muck and mud, which explains the derivation of the name. When emigrant gold seekers pitched tents around the springs, the 1850 census lists the names of 462 inhabitants. The Post Office was established in 1851.