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

Old Sacramento

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, July 1, 2019

1. Old Sacramento Marker

Inscription.
Founded in December 1848 by John A. Sutter, Jr., Sacramento was an outgrowth of Sutter’s Fort established by his father, Captain John A. Sutter, in 1839. State Capital since 1854, it was a major distribution point during the Gold Rush. A commercial and agricultural center, and terminus for wagon train, stagecoach, riverboat, telegraph, Pony Express, and the first Transcontinental Railroad.

Erected 1966 by California State Park Commission, City and County of Sacramento. (Marker Number 812.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, the First Transcontinental Railroad, the National Historic Landmarks, and the Pony Express National Historic Trail series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1848.

Location. 38° 35.015′ N, 121° 30.227′ W. Marker is in Sacramento, California, in Sacramento County. It is in Old Sacramento. It is on 2nd Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sacramento CA 95814, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Sacramento Valley

and specifically in the Central Valley.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Pony Express (here, next to this marker); B.F. Hastings Bank Building (here, next

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to this marker); a different marker also named The Pony Express (within shouting distance of this marker); Professor L.A. Lauriet's Assay Office (within shouting distance of this marker); New England Seed Store (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Vernon-Brannan House (about 300 feet away); Eagle Theatre (about 400 feet away); Sacramento Water Works (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sacramento.

Other markers no longer nearby. Sacramento's Original Level (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Pioneer Park (was about 300 feet away but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. Marker is within the Old Sacramento State Historic Park. It is California Historical Landmark No.812.
There are 19 California Registered Historical Landmarks within the boundaries of the Old Sacramento State Historic Park.

Regarding Old Sacramento. Also see the nearby B.F. Hastings Building and Pony Express Markers.

Also see . . .

Photographed by Syd Whittle, September 10, 2008

2. Old Sacramento Marker

California State Parks - Old Sacramento. (Submitted on September 10, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)

Additional commentary.
1. Old Sacramento Historic District - National Historic Landmark
Statement of Significance (as of designation - January 12, 1965):
Situated on the lower Sacramento River, Sacramento's river port emerged in 1849-50 after discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill, in Coloma, in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Sacramento then became the terminus for the Pony Express, the first transcontinental railroad, and the transcontinental telegraph. A large number of the buildings dating from the 1850s to the 1880s remian in the original business district.

— Submitted September 27, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, September 10, 2008

3. Old Sacramento Marker

Pony Express marker, Pony Express Logo and Gladys Kennedy memorial plaque are to the left of the marker

Wall Displaying All Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, September 10, 2008

4. Wall Displaying All Markers

From left to right Gladys Kennedy Memorial plaque, Pony Express, Pony Express Logo, Old Sacramento, Pony Express Donor plaque and B.F. Hastings Building

Pony Express Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, September 10, 2008

5. Pony Express Plaque

1860-1861 ** 1960-1961 These plaques placed at the Western Terminus of the Pony Express, April 4, 1963 by the Sacramento Historical Landmarks Commission and the Sacramento County Historical Society; National Pony Express Centennial Association - Dwight D. Eisenhower, Chairman - Waddell F. Smith, President

Old Sacramento Marker and additional markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, July 1, 2019

6. Old Sacramento Marker and additional markers

Old Sacramento image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 14, 2005

7. Old Sacramento

Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 14, 2005

8. Old Sacramento

National House

Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 14, 2005

9. Old Sacramento

Mechanics Exchange image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 14, 2005

10. Mechanics Exchange

Barnes Store image. Click for full size.

California State Library - Archives, circa 1885

11. Barnes Store

This business was located on "J" Street

Miller Brothers image. Click for full size.

California State Library - Archives, circa 1895

12. Miller Brothers

This man and woman are in front of Miller Bros. on "J" Street. (A store owned by Jacob and Edward Miller. They made stoves, tinners and cornices.) To the left is Paul Graf's, a harness maker. Wooded sidewalks connected all of Old Sacramento during this time, and are still in use in Old Sacramento today.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 10, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 4,161 times since then and 139 times this year. Last updated on September 15, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. Photos: 1. submitted on July 7, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 10, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 6. submitted on July 7, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. 7, 8, 9. submitted on September 10, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 10. submitted on November 4, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 11, 12. submitted on February 5, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.