Birdseye view of Hang Town (Placerville), showing the famous hanging tree to the left of the Empire building, ca. early 1850's

Photograph of a birdseye view of Hang Town (Placerville), showing the famous hanging tree to the left of the Empire building, ca. early 1850's. An entire town comprised of log cabins is pictured, the Empire building and the hanging tree pictured at the center background. Several traditional-style log cabins stand in the foreground where the word "Hangtown" has been written into the image, beyond which a two-story log building stands, one of many situated along the dirt streets of the town. Tree-dappled hills are visible in the background. Studebaker began as a blacksmith in the building at the extreme right. Gold was panned out of dirt in the streets here.