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

Early Explorers

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado

1. Early Explorers Marker

Inscription. Even though California and the Sacramento Valley were remote to the rest of the world, the area was a focus of exploration in the first half of the 19th century by the Spanish, Americans, British, French, Germans, Russians, and many others. Gabriel Moraga, leaving the San Francisco Bay, rounded Mt. Diablo to become the first European to view the Sacramento Valley and name the Sacramento River. In 1827, Jedediah Smith was the first American trapper to enter the Sacramento area in search of beaver. He crossed a river near what is now California State University, Sacramento, and camped at the crossing. Afterward, the river was called the American River. In the 1830s, the Hudson’s Bay Company of England tried to discourage other trappers by capturing and destroying as many beavers as possible along the length of the Central Valley, leading to an unintentional tragedy: European trappers introduced malaria to Native Americans in the Valley. The Nisenan had no immunity, and 90,000 people – approximately 60 percent of their population – died from the disease.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1827.

Location. 38° 34.916′ N, 121° 30.249′ 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 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 the Sacramento Valley

and specifically in the Central Valley.

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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 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Early Native Americans (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 (a few steps from 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:
Jedediah Smith, “drawn from memory,” ca. 1840 – from the Sutter’s Fort Collection

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, May 24, 2023

2. Early Explorers Marker

Bottom center.

Historical Timeline of Sacramento

Marker Within the Timeline image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, May 24, 2023

3. 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 281 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 2, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.