Sacramento History

Spanish Sacrament

The earliest known inhabitants of the Sacramento area were the Nisenan peoples, who lived in the region for thousands of years before the arrival of European explorers. They were a peaceful tribe who were known for their intricate basket weaving and other crafts. 

Their presence in the region was disrupted in the late 18th century when Spanish explorers led by Gaspar de Portolá began to traverse the region in search of new territory. To honor his Roman Catholic beliefs, Portolá named the Sacramento Valley and the Sacramento River after the Spanish term for “sacrament.”

The Gem of the Golden State

The establishment of the city we know today dates back to 1839 when John Sutter landed on the shore near the convergence of the American and Sacramento Rivers. With the creation of Sutter's Fort, the aim was to create an agricultural community, attracting businessmen seeking new prospects. 

“Here I have found a land so rich and fertile, that nothing but industry and the hand of man is wanting to make it the richest spot on earth.” – John Sutter

In 1848, the quiet town of Sacramento received news of a stunning discovery that rippled through the region like a shockwave. The hills and valleys that lay in the shadow of the Sierra Nevada mountains were found to be brimming with a substance so rare and precious that it would alter the course of human history forever: gold. 

The discovery of gold near Sacramento would go on to spark a frenzy of activity that would grip the nation for years to come and shape the course of the American West forever. 

Miners from far and wide descended upon the area, driven by dreams of wealth and fortune. The once-sleepy outpost of Sacramento was suddenly transformed into a bustling hub of activity, as prospectors poured into the area and staked their claims to the land during the height of the California Gold Rush. 

Madness and Mayhem

Gambling dens, saloons, and brothels lined the streets, and violence was a common occurrence. Despite efforts to bring law and order to the area, crime continued to be a major problem in Sacramento well into the 20th century. At one point it offered over 200 drinking establishments operating within a few blocks of the central plaza. 

The city's location also made it an ideal hub for opium smuggling, as it was situated along the transcontinental railroad and close to the ports of San Francisco and Oakland.

Capital City

Sacramento experienced one of its most catastrophic events in 1852: the Great Conflagration, which ravaged over 80% of the city's structures. The majority of the buildings, constructed from wood and canvas, were reduced to ashes. Within just a month of the disaster, over 700 structures had been reconstructed, with many of them made of brick and fortified with iron shutters to prevent fire-wind fanning. 

In 1854, Sacramento was designated as the permanent home of the California state capital by the state legislature. This newfound recognition, coupled with its strategic location, propelled Sacramento's growth, transforming it into the western terminus of the Pony Express and later the First Transcontinental Railroad.

The 1900s marked a turning point for Sacramento, with the city emerging as an economic and cultural center. The construction of the Southern Pacific Railroad helped make Sacramento a major transportation hub, while the opening of the Panama Canal in 1914 made the city an important port for the Pacific trade.