Albany Flat
(Romaggi Adobe)
Albany Flat sprang into existence when rich placers were discovered along Six Mile Creek in early 1851. It is estimated that anywhere from 1500-3000 lived and worked in the camp at one time, but its ore and prominence quickly depleted and by 1856 Albany Flat was largely deserted. Only the Romaggi Adobe remains to mark the site.
Romaggi Adobe - James Romaggi migrated from Genoa, Italy to New York in 1850, and after sailing around Cape Horn settled in California the following year. After panning over $1000 of placer gold and buying into a mine at nearby Melones (which paid out over $30,000 in just five months), Romaggi built this fine stone home modeled after his ancestral home in Italy. In 1857, he married Louisa Foppiano and the two had six children. Together they operated a store out of the building and developed 100 acres of fruits and vegetables. Later the store even had a bar and card room.
After James and Louisa passed in 1905 and 1917, respectively, the building was rented until the 1930s. After that, it passed through many hands and deteriorated. The flooring was burned for heat during the Depression, and at some point a driver ran their vehicle into the south end of the building (Highway 49 once ran directly against the building, but in 1985 was rerouted further away). Today the Save the Romaggi Adobe Association is working to restore the building for use as the "Gold Country Family Museum."
