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

The Preservationists

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, May 24, 2023

1. The Preservationists Marker

Inscription. By the 1950s, urban decay had left an almost indelible mark on Sacramento’s “West End.” Redevelopment interests planned to demolish the oldest section of the central City west of Seventh Street. The State Division of Highways also proposed a freeway alignment through that same part of the old City. The combined energies of visionaries, such as publisher Eleanor McClatchy, made the community aware of historic preservation and the threat the highway posed to the most historic elements of the City. At the same time, historian V. Aubrey Neasham envisioned and endeavored to create a preservation district, while Redevelopment Commissioner Frank Durkee worked to commit government resources to an Old Sacramento Historic Area. Entrepreneur Frank Fat risked his own money to restore buildings and to operate restaurants within the district. Together with many others, they pioneered the preservation of the community’s heritage.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places.

Location. 38° 34.905′ N, 121° 30.211′ 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

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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 distance of this marker: Decay and Redevelopment (here, next to this marker); Women in the Wartime Workforce (here, next to this marker); A United Effort (here, next to this marker); The Early Homeless (here, next to this marker); A Transportation Hub (a few steps from this marker); War Games (a few steps from this marker); Ernesto Galarza (a few steps from this marker); A Reformer Emerges (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 Images:
1030 2nd Street, Bank Exchange, ca. 1950 - from the Don Jewell Collection
I Street, between 3rd and 5th, ca. 1967 – from the James Henley Collection

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

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, May 24, 2023

2. The Preservationists Marker

Bottom left.

Marker Within the Historical Timeline image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, May 24, 2023

3. Marker Within the Historical Timeline

Front Street at the Riverfront image. Click for full size.

4. Front Street at the Riverfront

Looking east down J Street.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 7, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. This page has been viewed 178 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 7, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 2, 3. submitted on August 4, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 4. submitted on August 7, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.