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

The Docks

Photographed by Syd Whittle, February 24, 2009

1. The Docks Marker

Inscription. “The Docks” has had a remarkably varied occupational history. Gold Rush immigrants camped along the riverbank. In the following years, a limited number of individuals and families lived in the area in private residences and lodging houses. From the beginning of Euro-American occupation, however, the area was dominated by commercial and industrial activity because of its location adjacent to a navigational river. Speculators; small businesses including saloons, fish wholesalers, bakeries and groceries; larger enterprises such as produce wholesalers, lumber wholesalers, box manufacturers, iron foundries, transportation companies, reduction plants, soap manufacturers, distilleries and warehouse companies; and City agents consisting of the Harbor Master and Poundmaster all contributed to the history of the area.
However, the dominance of industry that inhibited residential and retail use largely ended by the 1930s. The southern waterfront’s excellent river, rail and, later, trucking facilities supported a variety of primary and secondary industries during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Rail and truck services,

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however, was not bound to the riverfront locations. Eventually, industries dependent on the rail systems also vanished when the transportation service was eliminated as a result of growing truck competition. Thus, the economic momentum provided by geography and transportation was lost.
In the early 1960s, the new Port of Sacramento was created. This West Sacramento facility, with its deep-water channel, completely displaced the old waterfront facilities that had evolved on the Sacramento waterfront. Redevelopment efforts in the 1960s changed the physical character of the neighborhood with the leveling of many of the blocks. This left an isolated, open space which belies the bustling activity of most of the area’s history. Gone were landmarks showing the presents of the Gold Rush entrepreneurs; the many generations of hotel operators at 1323 Front Street; most of the 19th-century industries; the many laborers, including the Austrian, Italian and Greek immigrants who predominated there at the turn-of-the-century; and the river and rail traffic that produced the heatbeat of “The Docks.”
The construction of the I-5 freeway

Photographed by Syd Whittle, February 24, 2009

2. The Docks Marker

in the late 1960s brought the destruction of most of the old buildings that still lined Front Street.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Roads & Vehicles • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1323.

Location. 38° 34.781′ N, 121° 30.447′ W. Marker is in Sacramento, California, in Sacramento County. It is in Old Sacramento. It can be reached from Capital Mall. Marker is located on the River Front Promenade off of Capital Mall and Front Streets, near the eastern approach to the Tower Bridge. 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,

on 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

Sacramento Waterfront in the 1930s image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, February 24, 2009

3. Sacramento Waterfront in the 1930s

This marker, a few steps north of "The Docks" marker, displays photos of the waterfront in the 1930's.

8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The First Brick Building in Sacramento (a few steps from this marker); Independent Boat Operations of the 1850s (a few steps from this marker); The River Lines Fleet (within shouting distance of this marker); City Wharf and Warehouses (within shouting distance of this marker); View Near the M Street Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); The Interurban Railroad Lines (within shouting distance of this marker); The Tower Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Tower Bridge: Gateway to the Capital (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sacramento.

Close-Up of Photo on The Waterfront-1930's Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, February 24, 2009

4. Close-Up of Photo on The Waterfront-1930's Marker

The open wharf between the N and P streets municipal warehouses, circa 1940.

Close-Up of Photo on Waterfront-1930's Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, February 24, 2009

5. Close-Up of Photo on Waterfront-1930's Marker

The S.S. Harpoon of the Shepard Line docked between the N and P streets wharves, circa 1934.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, February 24, 2009

6. Close-Up of Photo on Waterfront-1930's Marker

View of the waterfront from P Street north, circa 1934.

Steamers Docked at Sacramento image. Click for full size.

California State Library - McCurry Foto Co.

7. Steamers Docked at Sacramento

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 27, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,949 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 27, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 7. submitted on April 2, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.