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Students unveil Studebaker wheelbarrow replica for Placerville Monument Garden

Placerville City Council · April 29, 2026
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Summary

El Dorado High School woodshop students, guided by teacher Lance Konish, built a replica Studebaker wheelbarrow now installed in Placerville's Monument Garden to honor local history and 21 Vietnam servicemen; the council heard project history and security plans for the display.

The Placerville City Council heard a presentation April 28 on the completion and installation of a Studebaker wheelbarrow replica for the Monument Garden. Kathy Lishman, who described the multi-year effort, said the project commemorates John Studebaker’s local history and complements the existing Vietnam Memorial that honors 21 local servicemen. "This is very exciting to be here tonight," Lishman said, tracing the project’s roots back to community pride efforts in 2002 and later work after Caltrans’ Highway 50 project.

Lance Konish, the El Dorado High School wood shop teacher who led students on the build, said the class learned local history through the project and used locally sourced materials. "The students got a lot of value from this," Konish said, noting the replica uses oak salvaged from a downed tree near Diamond Springs and ironwork completed by Gold Bug Park. He credited Marshall Gold blacksmiths for wheel work and said the replica was measured against a museum piece to match historical details.

Parks staff said the wheelbarrow will be installed at the corner of Bedford and Main in the Monument Garden, chained to concrete and fitted with locks for maintenance and security. A speaker representing Gold Bug Park described the ironwork and the city noted plans for periodic maintenance. Members of the public praised the students and the project; Sue Rodman and others thanked the volunteers and the school for their contribution.

The council did not take further action on the presentation; staff and community members said the replica will be displayed and maintained in downtown Placerville.