Georgetown is a census-designated place in El Dorado County, California. It is the northeastern-most town in the California Mother Lode. The population was 2,367 at the 2010 census, up from 962 in 2000. The town is registered as California Historical Landmark #484.HistoryFounded August 7, 1849, by George Phipps and party, Georgetown was nicknamed "Growlersburg" due to the heavy, gold-laden quartz rocks that "growled" in the miners' pants pockets as they walked around town. Georgetown is named for George Washington. The first post office was established in 1851. After a disastrous fire in 1852, the old town was moved from the canyon in lower Main Street to its present site, and, unique in early-day planning, Main Street was laid out 100ft wide, with side streets 60ft. After this new reconstruction, the residents of the city proclaimed their town as the "Pride of the Mountains". The hub of an immensely rich gold mining area, Georgetown had a population of about three thousand from 1854 to 1856. As a gold rush camp, the community outlasted many other towns, because the gold found nearby was solid primary deposits, as opposed to placer deposits. Gold production continued until after the turn of the 20th century.GeographyAccording to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 15.1sqmi, of which over 99% is land.For the 2000 census, the CDP's area was smaller. It had a total area of 4.1sqmi, of which 4.1sqmi was land and 0.24% was water.
