Auburn’s historic Placer County Courthouse. 

AUBURN, CA (MPG) - Seventy-five years from now, Placer County residents will have an unusual opportunity to look back at life in 2026, through an iPhone, a flake of gold, government records, photographs, toys, handwritten letters and other pieces of everyday life carefully preserved inside a 19th-century safe.

As part of Placer County’s 175 anniversary celebration, county officials, community leaders and residents gathered at the historic Placer County Courthouse to seal a time capsule intended to remain closed until April 25, 2101, when the county celebrates its 250th anniversary.

“We’re in the middle of progress. Times are changing so quickly. And so what we’re trying to do here at the county and the whole is preserved our heritage. Make sure that we’re enjoying our communities and finding ways for them to be these resilient places that people want to live in. So what better opportunity than the 175 anniversary?” Museum Administrator, Bryanna Ryan said.

The time capsule itself is part of the county’s history. Rather than using a newly constructed container, organizers chose an iron safe dating to 1878. Located inside the courthouse, the massive safe weighs about 3,200 pounds and has been filled with records, letters and commemorative objects representing communities throughout Placer County.

The project caps a yearlong 175th anniversary celebration that involved thousands of residents from communities across the county. Organizers described the collection as more than a record of what Placer County has built; they said it also reflects current ideas about stewardship, government, planning and civic involvement.

A crowd gathered in front of the Placer County Courthouse to celebrate the county’s 175 anniversary.

“As we seal this capsule, we are leaving behind more than memories. We are leaving behind our legacy. We’re preserving a moment in time, actually, of our present, and planting a message of how great Placer County was, and how we tried to make it the perfect place for the future,” Placer County Board of Supervisors Suzanne Jones said.

Among the objects included in the time capsule is a declaration titled Enduring justice, signed by the Honorable Garen J. Horst and all current 11 sitting judges.

“Enduring Justice, as our nation has recently celebrated the 250 anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we are reminded that democracy does not endure on words engraved on parchment alone. Freedom survives only through the courage, integrity, and commitment of those who remain faithful to the Constitution and the rule of law.  As we move forward into the future, may these enduring ideals survive, and be defended by those willing to stand for justice,” Judge Horst said.

California State Senator, Roger Niello described the time capsule as a guidepost for future generations, noting that while technology and challenges will change, people in the future may still ask the same basic questions about who they are and what they can learn from those who came before them.

The historic safe that was first used by grocer, T.E. Stephens in 1878. It remained in Old Town Auburn until it was donated to Placer County Museums in 2017.

“The capsule is more than a collection of objects. It’s a message. It tells future residents what we valued, what we worried about, what we celebrated and what we hoped for.  It gives them a glimpse of the ordinary lives that, one day, will be history. By preserving a small part of our presence, we are helping future generations understand their past. And in doing so, we hope to guide their future.  Seventy-five years from now, when this capsule is opened, may those gathered then, see not only what we left behind, but also the enduring spirit that this community and the faith we placed in generations who would follow us,” Senator Niello said.

The capsule does not focus only on the past. Many contributions document the issues confronting the county today and the hopes residents have for the next 75 years.

Board of Supervisors Vice Chair, District 5, County of Placer, Cindy Gustafson spoke about protecting Lake Tahoe, forests, river canyons and other natural resources. Letters placed in the capsule discuss forest management and catastrophic wildfire, while other objects commemorate environmental and public works projects. The collection even includes debris removed from an old bridge in the American River.

Cities and community organizations also contributed their own snapshots of 2026. Lincoln supplied a letter, commemorative pin and Gladding, McBean medallion. Auburn contributed its strategic plan, a photograph of its current all-woman City Council, police and fire department items and information about local events. One particularly modern contribution is a letter generated by Artificial Intelligence for future readers.

County Executive Officer, Daniel Chatigny and Museums Administrator Bryanna Ryan prepare to seal the capsule which won’t be open for another 75 years.

The ceremony ended with the final items — including a guest book signed by attendees — being placed inside before the vault was closed following a countdown and shouts of “Seal that vault!”

Placer County Executive Officer Daniel Chatigny closed the ceremony when he said, “My hope is that when this safe is open in 75 years, on our 250 anniversary, future residents see that we care deeply about this county and worked to leave them a strong, thoughtful and hopeful foundation.”

The Honorable Garen J. Horst gives his speech in front of the Placer County Courthouse on Saturday, October 10 during the 175 anniversary celebration.