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

Early Native Americans

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, May 24, 2023

1. Early Native Americans Marker

Inscription. California’s Central Valley had one of the most concentrated assemblies of Native Americans in North America. Approximately 150,000 natives were grouped by language rather than political boundaries. In Sacramento, the local natives were called Nisenan and were considered some of the world’s best basket makers. They also produced elaborate ceremonial clothing including garments made from colorful feathers. Wild game and fish were abundant, but the Nisenan also practiced early agricultural management: they periodically burned the Sacramento Valley grasslands to reduce undesirable plants and encourage food-producing oak trees. The Nisenan and early native groups have occupied the Sacramento Valley for ten thousand years.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Indigenous Peoples and Communities.

Location. 38° 34.916′ N, 121° 30.251′ W. Marker is in Sacramento, California, in Sacramento County. It is in Old Sacramento. It can be reached from the intersection of K Street and Interstate 5, on the right when traveling east. The metal marker is mounted along the pedestrian walk where K Street extends under the freeway overpass towards downtown. 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

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distance of this marker: Early Explorers (here, next to this marker); The Arrival of Sutter (here, next to this marker); The Gold Rush Begins (a few steps from this marker); Sacramento’s Strategic Location (a few steps from this marker); The Birth of the City (a few steps from this marker); The Infant City (a few steps from this marker); The Squatters Settle In (a few steps from this marker); Historical Timeline of Sacramento (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sacramento.

More about this marker. The marker is part of the Historical Timeline of Sacramento.
Inset Image:
Nisenan homes, ca. 1830 – from the Eleanor McClatchy Collection

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Historical Timeline of Sacramento

Also see . . . Nisenan. Wikipedia

"The Nisenan were initially unaffected by European influence. In the early nineteenth century, their initial encounters with Spanish and U.S. expeditions were peaceful. In 1833, a severe malaria epidemic spread, which killed many of the Nisenan as well as other neighboring tribes."

(Submitted on August 2, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.)

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, May 24, 2023

2. Early Native Americans Marker

Early Native Americans Marker Within the Timeline image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, May 24, 2023

3. Early Native Americans Marker Within the Timeline

Credits. This page was last revised on August 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. This page has been viewed 208 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 2, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.