Old Sacramento in Sacramento County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
The Squatters Settle In
Photographed by Joseph Alvarado
1. The Squatters Settle In Marker
Inscription.
The Squatters Settle In. . Hardin Bigelow was a deeply-involved founder and pioneer of the new City. A contractor, he helped build Sacramento and its early levees. In October 1850, while serving as mayor, he ordered squatters on city lots to vacate the properties. The squatters were protesting land ownership, claiming that land deeded to certain individuals was actually public land. They numbered about forty men, and after public speeches had not swayed City Council to their cause, they armed themselves and made a physical stand. A violent confrontation followed at about J and Fourth Streets, where Bigelow was shot four times. Bigelow defied predictions and slowly recovered from what were believed to be mortal wounds only to succumb to cholera in December, 1850.
Hardin Bigelow was a deeply-involved founder and pioneer of the new City. A contractor, he helped build Sacramento and its early levees. In October 1850, while serving as mayor, he ordered squatters on city lots to vacate the properties. The squatters were protesting land ownership, claiming that land deeded to certain individuals was actually public land. They numbered about forty men, and after public speeches had not swayed City Council to their cause, they armed themselves and made a physical stand. A violent confrontation followed at about J and Fourth Streets, where Bigelow was shot four times. Bigelow defied predictions and slowly recovered from what were believed to be mortal wounds only to succumb to cholera in December, 1850.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1850.
Location. 38° 34.913′ N, 121° 30.238′ 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 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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking
More about this marker. The marker is part of the Historical Timeline of Sacramento. Inset Image:
Squatters Riots, in Placer Times and Transcript January 1, 1852 from the Eleanor McClatchy Collection
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Historical Timeline of Sacramento and Hardin Bigelow
Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, May 24, 2023
2. The Squatters Settle In Marker
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 216 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on August 2, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.
