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

Transportation by Water and Land

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, January 5, 2013

1. Transportation by Water and Land Marker

Inscription. A symbolic bond developed between river transportation and agricultural interests that was both economic and social, and it endured well into the 20th century. The river transportation companies maintained regular contracts with Sacramento canneries to ship processed food to the Bay Area. The California Transporation Co. had been founded in 1875 to transport fruits, vegetables and other perishable produce from the lower tributaries of the Sacramento River to San Francisco. The Company inaugurated scheduled overnight service between Sacramento and San Francisco in 1907 with two steamers that carried both passengers and freight.

The shipment of agricultural products continued to account for the bulk of business conducted by the river transportation firms. Until the late 1940s, however, the tons of agricultural products transported by river steamer no longer originated entirely from individual farmers living along the Sacramento River and Delta waterways. At this time, the fruits, vegetables and grains of the river farmlands were shipped from many large canneries and central collection points.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1875.

Location. 38° 34.541′ N, 121° 30.565′

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W. Marker has been damaged. Marker is in Sacramento, California, in Sacramento County. It is in Old Sacramento. Marker is on Sacramento River Promenade, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sacramento CA 95811, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. R Street Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Street Lights (approx. 0.2 miles away); California’s First Passenger Railroad (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Birth Place of the Railroads (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Docks (approx. 0.3 miles away); The First Brick Building in Sacramento (approx. 0.3 miles away); Independent Boat Operations of the 1850s (approx. 0.3 miles away); The River Lines Fleet (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sacramento.

More about this marker. The marker is located on the Sacramento River Promenade, roughly 200 feet north of the Pioneer Landing park area.

Transportation by Water and Land Marker - wide view, looking south along the promenade image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, January 5, 2013

2. Transportation by Water and Land Marker - wide view, looking south along the promenade

California Transportation Company image. Click for full size.

McCurry Photo Company (courtesy of the California State Library), 1925

3. California Transportation Company

View of the two-story building on the Sacramento waterfront. Shows horse-drawn wagons, trucks, and cars at the shipping platform; office at the right. Sign reads "California Transportation Company for San Francisco 6:30 P.M., palatial steamers 'Fort Sutter' - 'Capitol City' daily except Sunday."

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 150 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 19, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.