California City Allows 'Hangtown Dummy' to Remain on Street

The historical "Hangtown Dummy" has returned to Placerville, Calif., and local authorities are allowing it to remain dangling in the town square as a reminder of the city's past practice of holding public hangings.

The dummy was put up in the 1930s, and remained a fixture outside the Hangman's Tree Bar on Main Street in Placerville -- called Hangtown from 1849 to 1854 -- until a few years ago when the pub closed. The replica returned in time for Halloween this year and the Placerville City Council said it will stay put.

Reactions to the hanging body have been mixed. In a release from the city, the council acknowledged that some believe the sight of a man meeting his death in this way does not symbolize what Placerville is about today.

But after discussions, the council said they have "no intention of whitewashing our history," adding that the "Hangtown Dummy" is "an accurate portrayal of a small part of our history, not who we are today."

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Newscore contributed to this report.