At its peak, Dutch Flat was the largest town in Placer County and was home to thousands of miners who worked the surrounding hills and ridges. It was also a prominent stage station with coaches running to the Washoe silver camps of Nevada. The Dutch Flat-Donner Lake Road was built by the Central Pacific Railroad and was promoted as a possible route for the railway.

Hydraulic mining was also important at Dutch Flat and reached its peak in the 1870's. Huge scars in the ridges are a reminder today of the scale of the hydraulic mining operations that took place.

Today, the town is a pleasant mix of old and new buildings, with a historic downtown core framed by newer homes. The imposing three-storey Dutch Flat hotel is the town's most prominent building.

The Dutch Flat cemetary.

The 1852 Dutch Flat hotel.

Two views of the town.

The aftermath of hydraulic mining just outside of Dutch Flat.