The Elk Grove Historical Society had its beginnings in 1962 when four local women came together with the thought of preserving our rich heritage. The Historical Society was established in 1976 as the Bicentennial Committee to save the Rhoads School. Once the school was moved to the Elk Grove Park, saved and restored the Bicentennial Committee became the Elk Grove Historical Society. Our General Meetings, which usually includes a speaker to give a talk regarding the history of the area, are held on the third Monday of each month and begins at 7:00 P.M. The meetings are held at different locations so please call (916) 685-8115 to get the location for the month. Our Board of Directors meetings are held the fourth Monday of each month at 4 P.M. at the Elk Grove House Stage Stop Museum. We currently operate the Elk Grove Heritage Park and the Rhoads School. The Rhoads School is a restored Prairie school that originally sat near Sloughhouse and provides school age children with a living history program of what school was like in the 1800s. Each day the school bell rings and a class of students spend a school day back in the late 1880s. They dress in period clothing, play period games and learn from the same books our ancestors used. The school is located just down the road from the Elk Grove Heritage Park in the middle of the beautiful Elk Grove Regional Park. The Elk Grove Heritage Park currently contains two buildings open to visitors; the reconstructed 1850 stage stop, Elk Grove House Stage Stop Museum and the original San Joaquin Township Justice Court, the original jail and courthouse to serve Elk Grove and San Joaquin Township. The original stage stop was built by James Hall founder of Elk Grove in 1850. The San Joaquin Township Justice Court is unique in that it holds the last two remaining cells from the original Sacramento County jail built circa 1850. Recently moved to the Heritage Park is the 1853 Foulks House, the oldest remaining residence in Elk Grove and the 1884 Reese School, one of the last one room schools in our area. Restoration of both buildings is set to begin by early spring.
Elk Grove Stage Stop & Hotel9941 E Stockton Blvd Elk GroveCA95759Tel: (916) 685-8115
EG Stage Stop & Hotel is very active in our community. With so much interest in our society in moving forward and the future, it's important to keep our past alive and active. The Historical Museum does that and makes it entertaining and fun!
I fell in love with the warmth and character of it and you can tell all the work put into it is truly with passion. Very interesting learning the history of Elk Grove and they have great resources for displaying!
This museum is a reconstructed building of the original stage stop/hotel from the 1850's. I has displays of early era's that are educational to the young people to educate them of this heritage.
It is a very good organization, it has lots of programs for all ages, free admission, free parking and docents at all times.
Although it is a relative new city with much construction and updating, volunteers have come together to preserve historical artifacts and gather documents of the area so generations to come can know about their past. The work is continuing day in and day out with individuals and community heavily involved..
I am not a resident of Elk Grove, but while visiting over the Holidays we visited the Stage Stop & Hotel and really enjoyed the Christmas display and even had pictures taken of the kids with Santa. I would recommend this as a great place to visit with the family..
Great history and our community has worked for years to put that hotel in place for the people to see. At Christmas, they decorate the rooms and it is delightful.
The history of Elk Grove and surround areas is available. Exhibits are changed often and always interesting. The yearly teas are fun, entertainment and interesting. This year "Tea Time in the Wild West" will be May 9. Michael Sands' "Singing the History of the Railroad in American" should be informative. For tickets & more information call 916-775-1788.
Touring the Stage Stop Hotel and Museum takes you back in time and what a wonderful experience. The displays are very informative and their special events are many. Great place to spend some time!
This museum is wonderful. The members have done a fantastic job preserving Elk Grove's past. If you have not seen this museum you are really missing out. Don't forget to visit the old jail. At Christmas interior designers come into the Hotel/museum and decorate for the holidays. It is amazing! The docents dress in period costumes and they all have extensive knowledge of the area. There is no cost unless you come at Christmas. Then there is a small charge for admission.
Best Museum in the Sacramento area
