Old Sacramento in Sacramento County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Sacramento's Original Level
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, July 1, 2019
1. Sacramento's Original Level Marker
Inscription.
Sacramento's Original Level. . As you gaze down, you look back in time at Sacramento's original level. The building that once stood here was probably raised in the 1860s, creating this courtyard and providing access to hollow sidewalk segments. Imagine how easily flood waters overcame Sacramento when it existed at the courtyard's elevation. Is it any wonder Sacramentans fought back by hoisting streets and buildings, on average, ten feet above their original elevations?
As you gaze down, you look back in time at Sacramento's original level. The building that once stood here was probably raised in the 1860s, creating this courtyard and providing access to hollow sidewalk segments. Imagine how easily flood waters overcame Sacramento when it existed at the courtyard's elevation. Is it any wonder Sacramentans fought back by hoisting streets and buildings, on average, ten feet above their original elevations?
Location. Marker has been reported permanently removed. It was located near 38° 35.052′ N, 121° 30.235′ W. Marker was in Sacramento, California, in Sacramento County. It was in Old Sacramento. Marker was on I Street west of 2nd Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Sacramento CA 95814, United States of America.
We have been informed that this sign or monument is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
2. An additional nearby marker on a gold assayer at this site
Where do you go after you find gold? Professor L.A. Lauriet's Assay Office, once located here in a two story brick building, was often a miner's first stop in Sacramento. Originally from the West Indies, Lauriet weighed and analyzed miners' gold. If Lauriet determined that gold was authentic, miners could save it, gamble with it, or spend it at a saloon. If Professor Lauriet confirmed that your gold was real, what would you do with it?
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, July 1, 2019
3. Sacramento's Original Level Marker
The marker can be seen along the metal railing in this view of the original level of the city. The additional marker is here to the left, on the eastern side of the "original level" site.
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, July 3, 2022
4. Former Marker Location
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 7, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. This page has been viewed 237 times since then and 19 times this year. Last updated on July 4, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on July 7, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 4. submitted on July 4, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.