Old Sacramento Historic District Preserves the Legacy of California’s Gold Rush and Economic Growth
What is It – The discovery of gold deposits near Sutter’s Fort and John Sutter’s sawmill in 1848 drew thousands of prospectors, traders, and adventurers from around the world to the hills and streams of the surrounding area. It also created the need to develop a place for trade and shipping on the Sacramento River which flows down to the coast and eventually enters San Francisco Bay. Within three years, a city sprang into existence in the area now known as Front Street in Sacramento with docks, shops, hotels, residences, and saloons. Rapid expansion followed as Sacramento became the capital of the State of California in 1854 and the seat of the Supreme Court.
Sacramento also became an important transportation hub as the steamships, barges, ferries and sailing vessels lined the riverbanks and moved passengers and goods to San Francisco. In 1860, Sacramento became the terminus of the Pony Express’ mail service to the east and served as the headquarters of the Central Pacific Railroad upon the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869. The building of the city’s infrastructure faced many obstacles. A disastrous fire burned dozens of wooden structures to the ground in 1852, and periodic floods plagued the waterfront. After reconstructing city streets at a higher level and placing levees along the river, landowners were able to rebuild Front Street and the adjoining neighborhood with some grander buildings featuring elements of Spanish colonial architecture and balconies reminiscent of Paris.
The changing nature of commerce and transportation led to the decline of the Old Sacramento section of the city by the 1960s. Nevertheless, in 1965 the National Park Service named the original business district of Old Sacramento as a National Historic Landmark. This designation and the later establishment of the Old Sacramento State Historic Park allowed 296 acres of historic buildings, land, and railroad and port facilities to be preserved and turned into a living museum and entertainment zone for the city. There are now eighty-five historic buildings in Old Sacramento with thirty-two restored buildings and fifty-three reconstructed buildings. More than five million people visit the destination each year to see the museums, go for boat and train rides, enjoy old west experiences, and different kinds of entertainment activities.
What You Will See Here - There are many interesting things to see and do in Old Sacramento such as:
Visit the Museums
A good place to start visiting Old Sacramento is the Sacramento History Museum which contains exhibits with narrative information and pictures of key events in the founding of the city and its rapid development into a center of commerce, industry, and government. Exhibits depict the mining process used to extract gold in the area, the equipment used to print the city newspaper and flyers, city disasters, and the city’s transformation from an agricultural and mineral producer to an industrial and transportation center for Campbell Soup and other companies. The California State Railroad Museum houses restored locomotives and other equipment, while the Wells Fargo History Museum presents artifacts from the 1860s such as an authentic stagecoach, a telegraph demonstration, gold specimens, and pictures of the company’s frontier history.
Explore the Delta King and Other River Cruises
The Delta King is an authentic paddlewheel riverboat that is almost one hundred years old and currently moored on the waterfront of Old Sacramento. After a recent restoration, the vessel has been converted into a 44-room boutique hotel with special facilities for riverfront dining, conferences, and other events. For people interested in seeing more of the river, the River City Queen offers year-round luncheon cruises, cocktail cruises and private events, while the Sac Brew Boat is a 16-passenger party boat tour.
Walk around the Streets and Shops
The Old Sacramento Historic District stretches for about five blocks along the Sacramento River and Front Street starting with a convenient parking garage near the gold-colored Tower Bridge to the Railroad Museum. Many of the buildings have elevated pedestrian walkways and covered arches that pass by the historic buildings. Some of the interesting buildings worth checking out include residences of leading citizens from the Gilded Age, the D.O. Mills Bank Building, the Engine Company Firehouse, the Old Sacramento Schoolhouse, the reconstructed Eagle Theater, and many more.
Enjoy Food and Entertainment
When it comes to food there are many establishments to choose from for a meal or snack. Joe’s Crab Shack is a casual restaurant known for its crab and coastal dishes, patio views, and family entertainment. Fanny Ann’s Saloon has been recreating the feel of a period saloon since 1973 with a menu featuring fine burgers, cold beer, games, and artifacts salvaged from a historic Civil War ship that caught fire and burned while docked in the city. Other treats available include a mini donut shop, ice cream stores, and beverages. When it comes to entertainment, comedy shows take place regularly in Laughs Unlimited. Jazz shows and other music are offered in different venues there too. Other interesting attractions include the River City Shooting Gallery, McGee’s Old Time Photos, and Psychic readings. Old Sacramento also comes alive for special festivals and events during the year such as Gold Rush Days in September, Halloween activities, and historical reenactments by costumed players.
When to Go
Sacramento has mild winters with elevated temperatures in the fifties and sixties but more frequent days of rain. For the seven months from April to October, temperatures rise from the low seventies to low nineties and rain is infrequent. However, even during July and August there is a breeze near the river and Old Sacramento can be enjoyed for indoor or outdoor activities.