The Forni Road Story: Placerville, El Dorado County, California
When you arrive in Placerville on Highway 50, you’re greeted by the signs for Forni Road and Placerville Drive. These signs are not just markers; they are gateways to a rich history steeped in pioneering spirit and community development.
The Forni Pioneers
The story of Forni Road begins in the early 1860s when Dennis and Caesar Forni emigrated from Switzerland to El Dorado County. Like many pioneers of the time, they sought new opportunities in the American West. They found their calling in ranching and cattle, establishing a successful business that would become integral to the region’s economy.
Early Ranching Days
In those early days, the Forni brothers would drive their cattle through Main Street, from their winter grazing lands in the foothills up into the Sierra Nevada during the summer. This seasonal migration was a common practice among ranchers, ensuring their livestock had access to the best grazing lands year-round.
Forni Meadows
The Forni Meadows property, which played a crucial role in their ranching operations, was purchased by the U.S. Forest Service in 2018. This preservation effort ensures that the legacy of the Forni family’s contribution to local agriculture remains recognized and protected.
Dennis Forni’s Legacy
Dennis Forni settled in Coloma and later moved to his ranch in Gold Hill. He had seven children, one of whom was Alex Felix Forni. Alex continued the family ranching business and expanded into meat marketing. He opened a meat market right in the center of Placerville at the Bell Tower, a landmark that still stands today.
The Heart of Placerville
To supply his meat market, Alex Forni purchased the Crayor Ranch, located in what is now the heart of Placerville. This ranch became a central hub for the community, and its boundaries can still be traced today. The barn from the ranch stood for over a century, a testament to the enduring presence of the Forni family in the area.
Forni Road
In 1910, Alex applied for an easement with El Dorado County, which was granted in 1914. This easement became part of what is now Forni Road. Unfortunately, Alex passed away at the young age of 55 in 1927, but his legacy lived on through his children and their contributions to the community.
The El Dorado County Fairgrounds
In 1939, El Dorado County purchased land from Alex’s son, Lawrence Forni. This land became a significant portion of today’s El Dorado County Fairgrounds. At the center of the fairgrounds stands the Mark D. Forni Building, named after Alex’s great-grandson. The fairgrounds host a variety of events, preserving the community spirit that the Forni family helped to foster.
Modern-Day Forni Road
Today, Forni Road starts on Main Street in Placerville, travels along and crosses the Gold Creek Bridge, ending up in the town of El Dorado. The area that once housed the Forni Ranch now includes the County Fair Shopping Center, Thompson’s Toyota, the El Dorado County Historical Museum, the El Dorado County Government Center, and the El Dorado County Veterans Building.
The Forni Road story is a testament to the enduring spirit of the pioneers who shaped Placerville and El Dorado County. From their humble beginnings in Switzerland to their lasting impact on the community, the Forni family’s legacy is woven into the very fabric of this historic region.
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