Central Business District in Sacramento in Sacramento County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

St. George Hotel

Photographed by Syd Whittle, December 28, 2008

1. Front View of St. George Hotel Marker

Inscription.
[Front of Marker]
ST.GEORGE HOTEL Dedicated March 19, 2005 SACRAMENTO By James Streetsky First Northern Bank The Firehouse Restaurant Rotary Club of Sacramento Burnett & Sons Planing Mill and Lumber Co. – Since 1869 Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce Pony Express Trail Association
[A list of donors is on the bottom of the base.]

[Back of Marker]
The St. George Hotel was on this corner with the main entrance on Fourth Street.
The following ad ran on March 19, 1860 in the Sacramento Union Newspaper.
”Men Wanted! The undersigned wishes to hire ten or a dozen men, familiar with the management of horses, as hostlers or riders on the Overland Express Route via Salt Lake City. Wages, $50 per month and found. I may be found at the St. George Hotel during Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
William W. Finney”

This was the only ad ever run for Pony Express riders. On March 20, the Sacramento Union reported “We understand that about two hundred men have responded

Paid Advertisement

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to the advertisement of the agent, Mr. Finney, for Post Riders on the Overland Express. The requisite number have been engaged.”
[A list of donors is on the bottom of the base.]

Erected 2005 by : On base of the marker, both front and back, is a list of donors and sponsors.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Pony Express National Historic Trail series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 19, 1803.

Location. 38° 34.938′ N, 121° 30.082′ W. Marker is in Sacramento, California, in Sacramento County. It is in the Central Business District. It is at the intersection of J Street and 4th Street, on the right when traveling east on J Street. 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 Squatters Riot (a few steps from this marker); Central Pacific’s Other Big Four (within shouting distance of this marker); Travelers' Hotel (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Preservationists (about 600 feet away); Decay and Redevelopment (about 600 feet away); Women in the Wartime Workforce (about 700 feet away);

Back View of St. George Hotel Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, December 28, 2008

2. Back View of St. George Hotel Marker

A United Effort (about 700 feet away); The Early Homeless (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sacramento.

Also see . . .
1. St. George Hotel Marker, Sacramento, California. Atlas Obscura website entry:
Where the first "expert riders, willing to risk death daily" for the Pony Express were recruited. (Submitted on November 27, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. Pony Express: The Founders. National Pony Express Association website entry (Submitted on December 28, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)

St. George Hotel image. Click for full size.

Photographed by E. and H.T. Anthony and Company

3. St. George Hotel

This undated photo is half of a stereographic view of the St. George Hotel in Sacramento, from the University of California Bancroft Library's Stereographs of the West from the Bancroft Library, 1858-1906 collection.

The Morris Hotel in 1960 (formerly the St. George Hotel) image. Click for full size.

Unknown, Photo courtesy of the Sacramento Room, Sacramento Public Library, 1960

4. The Morris Hotel in 1960 (formerly the St. George Hotel)

By 1960 the St. George had become The Morris Hotel, and was much changed in appearance from its former glory days. If one looks closely at the upper corner of the building facing the viewer, one can make out the former name of the hotel, painted over, albeit ineffectively. The building disappeared not too long after this picture was taken, as the whole area was redeveloped.

Wide View - Front of Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, December 28, 2008

5. Wide View - Front of Marker

Wide View - Back of Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, December 28, 2008

6. Wide View - Back of Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 28, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,542 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 28, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 3. submitted on March 26, 2009. 4. submitted on April 2, 2009. 5, 6. submitted on December 28, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.