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

Sacramento’s Maritime Heritage

Photographed by Syd Whittle, February 24, 2009

1. Sacramento’s Maritime Heritage Marker

Inscription. The second world war found river transportation companies continuing service on the Sacramento River while under the restrictions of wartime conditions. In the 1950’s, river commerce consisted of the transportation of barges of bulk grain, petroleum, and crushed rock between Bay Area points and upriver as far north as Colusa. In 1954, Sacramento River traffic amounted to 2,172,451 tons of cargo, largely rice. River commerce in the 1960’s continued to be primarily tug boats and barges including the shipping of military aircraft from nearby air bases to the Bay Area and the Far East. In 1963, the long-promised deep-water channel and Port of Sacramento opened to ocean-going freighters, thus ending an era of riverfront shipping in downtown Sacramento. Most subsequent river commerce has focused on renewed passenger travel and sight-seeing cruises.

Erected 1998 by Members of the Sacramento Valley Chapter American Merchant Marine Veterans (AMMV), their families and friends. This Chapter was founded 2/1/91.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, World II •

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Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1954.

Location. 38° 34.805′ N, 121° 30.428′ W. Marker is in Sacramento, California, in Sacramento County. It is in Old Sacramento. It can be reached from the intersection of Capital Mall and Front Street. Marker is located at the American Merchant Marines Monument, at the entrance to the River Front Promenade. 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 the 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 United States Merchant Marine (here, next to this marker); U.S.S. Sacramento 1863 – 1867 (here, next to this marker); “Cobblestone” Ballast (here, next to this marker); U.S.S. Sacramento 1914 – 1942

American Merchant Marine Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, February 24, 2009

2. American Merchant Marine Monument

Sacramento's Maritime Heritage marker is located in the center.

(here, next to this marker); Merchant Marine Monument (here, next to this marker); U.S.S. Sacramento – 1964 (here, next to this marker); USS Sacramento (PG-19) (here, next to this marker); The Interurban Railroad Lines (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sacramento.

Also see . . . History of the Port of West Sacramento. Port of West Sacramento entry; name changed from "Sacramento" in 2008 (Submitted on February 25, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)

A Second Sacramento’s Maritime Heritage Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, February 24, 2009

3. A Second Sacramento’s Maritime Heritage Marker

This marker is written in Braille.

Close-Up of Photo on Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, February 24, 2009

4. Close-Up of Photo on Marker

S.S. Harpoon Flagship of the Shepard Line

The AMMV Plaza Memorial Committee Plaque at the Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, February 24, 2009

5. The AMMV Plaza Memorial Committee Plaque at the Monument

AMMV Plaza MEMORIAL COMMITTEE MAY 1998 Harl Mullins, Chair Bill Fairfield, CEO J.O. Nelson, CEO Marvin Booth, CEO Joe Callahan Walter Duering Bob Koetitz Bob Nelson Bob Sharp

The AMMV Plaza Memorial Committee Plaque and Flag Mast image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, February 24, 2009

6. The AMMV Plaza Memorial Committee Plaque and Flag Mast

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 25, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,063 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 25, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.