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

Sacramento's Original Level

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, July 1, 2019

1. Sacramento's Original Level Marker

Inscription. As you gaze down, you look back in time at Sacramento's original level. The building that once stood here was probably raised in the 1860s, creating this courtyard and providing access to hollow sidewalk segments. Imagine how easily flood waters overcame Sacramento when it existed at the courtyard's elevation. Is it any wonder Sacramentans fought back by hoisting streets and buildings, on average, ten feet above their original elevations?

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. Marker has been reported permanently removed. It was located near 38° 35.052′ N, 121° 30.235′ W. Marker was in Sacramento, California, in Sacramento County. It was in Old Sacramento. It was on I Street west of 2nd Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Sacramento CA 95814, United States of America.

We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Regionally, this marker was in Sacramento Valley

and specifically in the Central Valley.

It was also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it was 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 found 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 location: Professor L.A. Lauriet's Assay Office (a few steps from this marker); The Pony Express (within shouting distance

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

of this marker); Old Sacramento (within shouting distance of this marker); B.F. Hastings Bank Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Sacramento Water Works (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named The Pony Express (about 400 feet away); 1854 City Hall and Waterworks (about 400 feet away); 1854 Flagpole (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sacramento.

An additional nearby marker on a gold assayer at this site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, July 1, 2019

2. An additional nearby marker on a gold assayer at this site

Where do you go after you find gold? Professor L.A. Lauriet's Assay Office, once located here in a two story brick building, was often a miner's first stop in Sacramento. Originally from the West Indies, Lauriet weighed and analyzed miners' gold. If Lauriet determined that gold was authentic, miners could save it, gamble with it, or spend it at a saloon. If Professor Lauriet confirmed that your gold was real, what would you do with it?

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, July 1, 2019

3. Sacramento's Original Level Marker

The marker can be seen along the metal railing in this view of the original level of the city. The additional marker is here to the left, on the eastern side of the "original level" site.

Former Marker Location image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, July 3, 2022

4. Former Marker Location

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 7, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 740 times since then and 47 times this year. Last updated on July 4, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 7, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. 4. submitted on July 4, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.