Kelsey is an unincorporated community in El Dorado County, California. It is located 2 miles north of Chili Bar, at an elevation of 1,923 feet. A post office operated at Kelsey from 1856 to 1872, from 1875 to 1903, with several moves, and from 1920. The name honors Benjamin Kelsey, who came to California in 1841 and discovered gold at the site in 1848. Kelsey at one time had 24 saloons, 12 stores, six hotels, two barber shops, and a makeshift court of justice.