Folsom

Folsom is a city in California, United States. Folsom is most commonly known by its famous Folsom Prison, and is a thriving suburb of Sacramento. As of 2007, the State of California's estimate of Folsom's population is 70,835. Folsom started as a small town called Granite City, mostly occupied by gold miners seeking fortune in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Though few amassed a great deal of wealth, the city prospered due to the Joseph Folsom's lobbying to get a railway to connect the town with Sacramento. Folsom died in 1855, and the town was later renamed to Folsom in his honor. The railway was abandoned in the 1950s[verification needed] but later opened up as the terminus of the Gold Line of Sacramento Regional Transit District's light rail service. A few former gold-rush era towns are located within city limits of Folsom, including Prairie City, California, Salmon Falls, and Mormon Island. Folsom Prison was established in 1880, when the Livermore family made an agreement with the state to donate land for the prison in exchange for prison labor. Their plan was to build a hydro-electric dam from the American River for a sawmill. Though the sawmill did not work out, the Livermores soon realized that the natural force of running water could provide enough power to transmit to Sacramento, and the Folsom Powerhouse, now a National Historic Landmark, was opened. At the time it was opened, it had the longest overhead run of electricity (22 miles) in the country.

The powerhouse operated until 1952. Folsom Dam was built in 1956, providing much-needed flood control and water rights for the Sacramento Valley. The creation of this dam also created one of the most popular lakes in Northern California, Folsom Lake. The dam is located on the southwest corner of the lake. The lake is an estimated 7.75 kilometer from Granite Bay to the most southern point of Folsom Lake. Today, Folsom is most known as being a popular upper middle-class suburb, with abundant parks, good schools, and a strong community. Folsom is home to Folsom Lake College, Folsom Dam, Folsom Lake, and a charming historic district. Folsom is also home to the largest private employer in the Sacramento area, Intel. The population was 51,884 at the 2000 census.

11 °C


Clouds, broken clouds


Wind4.12 m/s
Cloudiness75 %
Temperature (min/max)10/12 °C
Pressure1015 hpa
Humidity88 %
Last update: 26 Apr 2024 @ 13:43

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  • Antique Country Furniture Store2013-03-13

    Located in Folsom, Sacramento County, California, United States

    Antique Country Furniture StoreThe Antique Country Furniture Store in Folsom, California is an antique furniture shop that offers their own look alike reproductions of country antique style pieces, however they will build whatever you want, no matter the style. These reproduction pieces are affordable and you can now acquire the country antiques via the on-line shopping cart or order by mail, and they will be shipped to you. Gorgeous products on offer include hoosier and apothecary cabinets, pie safes, hall trees, mirrors, dry sinks, jelly cupboards, dining tables, chairs, bookcases, decorative shelves and so much more, and products are not limited to what you see, bear in mind they will build to your specifications and create that fabulous future heirloom you've always prized.READ MORE

  • Cynthia's Dance Center2009-08-11

    Located in Folsom, Sacramento County, California, United States

    Cynthia's Dance CenterCynthia's Dance Center, Folsom, California, United States has been dedicated to the art of dance since 1978, and is locally owned. We have many wonderful and specialised programs for children or adults.READ MORE

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