Walnut Grove in Sacramento County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Sacramento River Exploration

Photographed By Syd Whittle, December 23, 2009

1. Sacramento River Exploration Marker

Inscription. The Spanish Missionaries’ quest for mission sites led to their exploration of the river. However, no missions were ever built in this region. The first known sighting was in 1774 by Fray Juan Crespi and Pedro Fages. By 1808, Gabriel Moraga gave the river its present name. In 1811, Padre Abella traversed the channels and sloughs to reach the Sacramento River. Luis Arguello led the last Spanish exploration of this river in 1817.

Erected 2007 by New Helvetia Chapter #5, E Clampus Vitus.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1853.

Location. 38° 14.518′ N, 121° 30.821′ W. Marker is in Walnut Grove, California, in Sacramento County. Marker is on Market Street near Bridge Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 14157 Market Street, Walnut Grove CA 95690, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Boon-Dox Botel (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Delta Transmission Towers/Delta Cross Channel Gates (approx. 0.4 miles away); Charles “Chuck” Tison (approx. 0.4 miles away); Walnut Grove, Est. 1850/Locke, Est. 1915

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(approx. 0.4 miles away); Locke (approx. 0.6 miles away); Locke, California (approx. 0.6 miles away); Locke / 樂居镇 (approx. 0.6 miles away); Locke Memorial Park (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Walnut Grove.

More about this marker. The marker is mounted on the Tony's Place Restaurant building that sits at the intersection of Market and Bridge Streets.

Regarding Sacramento River Exploration. From Sacramento History On-Line's Timeline: (http://www.sacramentohistory.org/resources_timeline.html)
1808 - Lieutenant Gabriel Moraga and Spanish soldiers from Mission San Jose are the first Europeans to enter the Sacramento Valley. They discover the two rivers (the Sacramento and American) which they name the "Jesus Maria" and the "Sacramento."

Also see . . .
1. "California - Romantic and Resourceful" by John F. Davis (1914). Text and illustrations (Submitted on December 26, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)

2. Pedro Fages. Military Governor of Alta California from 1770-1774 and again 1782 – 1791. He also served

Photographed By Syd Whittle, December 23, 2009

2. Sacramento River Exploration Marker

with Portola during the Portola Expedition of 1769. (Submitted on December 26, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)

3. Fray Juan Crespi. This Find-A-Grave post shows his burial site at the Mission Carmel as well as giving a short biography with emphasis on his contributions to early California history. (Submitted on December 26, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)

The Sacramento River image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, December 23, 2009

3. The Sacramento River

The town of Walnut Grove is seen across the River.

Don Luis Arguello tombstone image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Larry Gertner

4. Don Luis Arguello tombstone

Credits. This page was last revised on April 28, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 26, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 3,150 times since then and 71 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 26, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 4. submitted on December 31, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.