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

Here Come the Judges

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado

1. Here Come the Judges Marker

Inscription. During the early years of statehood, Sacramento became not only the State Capital, but also the seat of the State Supreme Court. The B.F. Hastings Building at 2nd and J Streets first served as the State’s highest court. The Gold Rush attracted a large population of young, exuberant, and colorful lawyers. No longer confined by the pressures of hometown opinions, the attorneys in California had the courage to look at many issues in a fresh way. Some, such as Judge Stephen Fields, went on to distinguished careers with the U.S. Supreme Court. Others, like Judge David S. Terry, displayed their colorful personalities and temperaments with brazen actions. Terry, who presided in his courtroom with a pistol and a large knife on his bench, dueled with and killed U.S. Senator David Broderick. Several of Sacramento’s judges, however, focused on improving the community through philanthropy and culture. One such judge was E.B. Crocker, and ardent abolitionist who defended many former slaves in California and who built what is now Sacramento’s Crocker Art Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics.

Location. 38° 34.912′ N, 121° 30.234′ 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.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

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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: Historical Timeline of Sacramento (here, next to this marker); A Multicultural Gold Rush (here, next to this marker); Battling the Elements (here, next to this marker); Raising the City (here, next to this marker); California's Big Four (here, next to this marker); The Infant City (here, next to this marker); The Squatters Settle In (here, next to this marker); Transportation Gathers Steam (here, next to 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.

Regarding Here Come the Judges. Inset Images:
B.F. Hastings Building & Co. ca. 1855 – from the California State Department of Beaches and Parks Collection
Judge S.J. Field, 1816-1899; Judge D.S. Terry, 1823-1889, - from the Eleanor McClatchy Collection

Related markers.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, May 24, 2023

2. Here Come the Judges Marker

Left of center.

Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Historical Timeline of Sacramento and The Shooting of David S. Terry

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 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. This page has been viewed 190 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 2, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.