64 replies to this topic

[Clem]

Is the city meeting on this tonight, can someone give me the information so I can come and show my distaste for this plan.

[4thgenFolsomite]

The city heritage is the pile of rocks. If that's your bag...

Did you find the sluice drains though? There is a very intact and complex herringbone sluice mine there. When you are walking around on top, all you see are the rocks, but if you get close (as you move closer to the hotel that's already there) there are a series of perfectly straight trenches that are about three feet wide and up to 30 + feet deep that branch off at approximately 45 degree angles. It's pretty amazing. This is what is known as the Chinese Diggings site.

[ducky]

On the folsompreservation.org site they have some photos of what the Natoma Sluice diggings look like.

I found this photo on the Web. I wonder if that's how things looked when it was in operation.

http://www-pe.pbs.or...2mnrs.gif?Log=0

[4thgenFolsomite]

On the folsompreservation.org site they have some photos of what the Natoma Sluice diggings look like.

I found this photo on the Web. I wonder if that's how things looked when it was in operation.

http://www-pe.pbs.or...2mnrs.gif?Log=0

no, that photographis an earlier image (probably 1850s to early 1860s). The chinese diggings site in question would have been roughly 1880s, if I'm correct. they would actually have dug those trenches out. when you're in them, you can see the pick marks in the walls. the trenches all join and slope down to drain out at a point closest to the current hotel location. there is a small cave at that lowest point, which was formerly a tunnel that drainaged out toward the northwest. it's pretty cool to be down in those trenches.

[supermom]

The sad thing is that my kid and I were just by there, last weekend. Walking the trail.

Literally walked into a great (or is it) giant egret.

Either way, that bird was very tall. I thought that whole area was sanctioned as a wetlands habitat...protected, and all that stuff.

Well, It is sad that the owner wants to put a hotel there. I guess he has done his homework.

However, the city will get money from that business (tourist tax added to hotel bill) from each guest. I guess the money will shake and move. And I can imagine that it is in the best interests of Folsom that we attract more and more tourists to stay here in folsom, before they continue on their way up the hill....

How many would prefer to stay here before hitting the tahoe slopes?

Realistically, I suppose we (city commerce) really should do more to advertise, in regards to the other two hotels.....

It will be intersting to see how this works out for everyone...

[ducky]

no, that photographis an earlier image (probably 1850s to early 1860s). The chinese diggings site in question would have been roughly 1880s, if I'm correct. they would actually have dug those trenches out. when you're in them, you can see the pick marks in the walls. the trenches all join and slope down to drain out at a point closest to the current hotel location. there is a small cave at that lowest point, which was formerly a tunnel that drainaged out toward the northwest. it's pretty cool to be down in those trenches.

Thanks for the clarification, 4thgen.

I haven't ever ventured over there. I guess I should before they build the hotel

[4thgenFolsomite]

I think preserving the natural and historic landscape in Folsom would do more to encourage tourism here than building another hotel. The Folsom Blvd. entrance and corridor is our historic corridor and our gateway. We need to preserve its intact feeling as much as possible. Otherwise we will gradually become another Roseville, especially after the construction of the south of 50 area. Let's try all we can to preserve the historic feeling north of 50 for the future.

[4thgenFolsomite]

Thanks for the clarification, 4thgen.

I haven't ever ventured over there. I guess I should before they build the hotel

the deep trenches are fenced off. hope you can get in. it would be nice if someone did some tours. its pretty amazing really. I have some photographs I took years ago. maybe I'll try to scan one soon and post it.

[sty10k]

I guess I don't understand the big deal. Fifty yards down Folsom Blvd. from this site there are hotels, fast food joints, outlets, etc. I really doubt this hotel will alter the entrance to Folsom. To me, this is smart infill project.

I've been to the diggings. It's an interesting site, but like DarthLefty said, there are sites just like it all around the lake. In fact, there are many sites that are easier to access with less trash and brush. I found a link with some current photos:

http://www.folsompre...se_Diggings.htm

[mylo]

I guess I don't understand the big deal. Fifty yards down Folsom Blvd. from this site there are hotels, fast food joints, outlets, etc. I really doubt this hotel will alter the entrance to Folsom. To me, this is smart infill project.

Yeah, but they're up the hill. The outlets sit behind a nice waterfall and seem well-hidden from the main Folsom Blvd. "Scenic" strip.

I have to admit, driving down Folsom Blvd. with all the trees and the sun was actually one of the things that first attracted me to this city. I'd hate the entrance to start looking like Sunrise or something

[4thgenFolsomite]

actually these are the only herringbone sluices that remain north of hwy. 50. there are other mining sites around lake natoma certainly, but most have been impacted rather heavily by the construction of the bike and walking trails.

however, its the loss of the scenic entrance and the trees that bothers me the most. It's our historic gateway and that would be significantly impacted by a big modern facade there. its part of the charm and character of our town.

[camay2327]

Is the city meeting on this tonight, can someone give me the information so I can come and show my distaste for this plan.

YES Clem, it is tonight 6:30PM

http://www.tomatopag...showtopic=29808

The last I remembered about this was, they were going to expand the present Larks spur hotel. I didn't know anything about them building a completely new one next to the present one.

They are going to wipe out about 90 percent of the trees and they do not care, from the sound of things. They will just pay the penalty and go with it.

I will be at the meeting tonight...

[sty10k]

I understand the need to preserve history. However, I'm unclear what is meant by "historic gateway." The area looks nothing like it did in the 1800s or any time earlier than the late 1980s.

It's funny looking at the aerial photos of the area. It's a small patch of green and brown at the corner of a huge swath of development. The rest of the concrete, asphalt and building are in line with the town's "charm and character" but if this small plot is partially developed everything is ruined?

[supermom]

YES Clem, it is tonight 6:30PM

http://www.tomatopag...showtopic=29808

The last I remembered about this was, they were going to expand the present Larks spur hotel. I didn't know anything about them building a completely new one next to the present one.

They are going to wipe out about 90 percent of the trees and they do not care, from the sound of things. They will just pay the penalty and go with it.

I will be at the meeting tonight...

Can they do that?

I mean, how stiff is the penalty for cutting all the trees down? Do their plans call for re-planting or growing more trees to offset what is cut down? Don't they have to pass one of those environmental impact study thingy's before they can get a license to begin construction?

How come I feel woefully uninformed about this stuff--when I care? (nevermind--don't answer that).....

[4thgenFolsomite]

I understand the need to preserve history. However, I'm unclear what is meant by "historic gateway." The area looks nothing like it did in the 1800s or any time earlier than the late 1980s.

It's funny looking at the aerial photos of the area. It's a small patch of green and brown at the corner of a huge swath of development. The rest of the concrete, asphalt and building are in line with the town's "charm and character" but if this small plot is partially developed everything is ruined?

when you drive in off of hwy 50 on Folsom Blvd., what you see at this gateway (they even have the Welcome to Folsom sign there) is a natural hillside covered with oaks on one side and a bluff over the lake with oaks on the other side. you don't see the commercial development you see on the aerial photographs luckily because of they're on the top of the hill and not visible from the street until you get down to the intersection of iron point and folsom blvd. when you drive in, you are on the old 1855 railroad grade, which is pretty cool. its not that hard for me to imagine the ride in as it is these days.