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Historic Folsom Prison
Folsom State Prison opened in 1880 as California's second-oldest prison and one of the nation's first maximum-security facilities.
Folsom State Prison opened on July 26, 1880, when its first 44 inmates arrived by boat and train from San Quentin. The California Legislature had authorized the prison's construction in 1858, and building began in 1878. The location was chosen for two practical reasons: the site offered abundant native granite for construction, and the American River provided water and natural boundaries for a secure facility.
Designed to house long-term and habitual offenders, the prison quickly developed a reputation as a maximum-security institution. Incarcerated workers labored to construct the first dam and canal on the American River, work that led to the first hydroelectric power generation for the Sacramento area. The facility's stark appearance and remote location made it a symbol of punishment and confinement, though it would later become known worldwide through musician Johnny Cash's legendary 1968 live concert performance.
A workforce's greatest risk is not always visible. The incarcerated workers at Folsom who built infrastructure for their region understood that their families depended on stable income and planning. For households in Folsom today, life insurance serves the same purpose: ensuring that the people who depend on you have protection if you are not here to provide it.