Real Estate Blog - Sutter's Fort - In the Heart of Sacramento

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Sutter's Fort - In the Heart of Sacramento

After state budgetary woes threatened access at some of California's State Parks earlier this year, announcement of new hours for Sutter's Fort has been made.

The fort is now closed on Mondays, but all other days of the week will find it open as usual; other than on certain holidays. This is great news for Californians, and especially school children eager to learn about our rich California Gold Rush history.

In 1839, John Sutter, a Swiss immigrant acquired a land grant in the Sacramento Valley from the Mexican government. The land was used to create a growing agricultural enterprise, which Sutter named, New Helvetia (New Switzerland.) New Helvetia was Sacramento's earliest settlement and the first non-Indian settlement in California's Central Valley.

Sutter sent assistance and aid to the Donner Party In 1847. The group of immigrants had become trapped in a winter storm in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Ultimately, Sutter became known for his hospitality and for providing temporary refuge to travelers. New Helvetia became the destination for many early immigrants to California.

Less than a decade after the Fort was established, gold seekers overran Sutter's properties and the Fort is all that remains of New Helvetia. It has been restored to its former state based on an 1847 map published in Darmstadt, Germany and is open daily for tours.

Open Tuesday - Sunday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm - Closed Mondays, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day

Admission:

Adults $5 (18 years and older)
Youth $3 (ages 6 to 17)
Children Free (5 and under)

Location-Directions

The park is located in midtown Sacramento between K and L Streets and 26th and 28th Streets.

Traveling on I-80, from San Francisco, take Business 80/Hwy 50 east. Take the Business 80 exit (north towards Reno) to the N Street turn off. Travel straight on 30th Street then turn left under the freeway at L Street to the Fort which will be located on your right.

Tuesday thru Saturday, bring quarters for the parking meters. Parking is free on Sundays.

Facilities - Opportunities
The Fort is available for private parties and gatherings for a fee.
Call for availability and information: (916) 445-4422.

A self-guided audio tour is available.

Website for California State Parks - Sutter's Fort

Posted by Myrl Jeffcoat on 11/13/2009 05:59 PM

Comments (15)

Sutter's Fort in the Regional (Localism) Channel

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15 Comments on Sutter's Fort - In the Heart of Sacramento

NOV

Hi Myrl, I remember Sutter's Mill but hadn't heard of the Fort and thanks for all the history behind it. California has so much colorful history!!

Gary - Sutter's Mill is at Coloma, where gold was actually discovered. The Fort is in the heart of Sacramento. James Marshall (one of Sutter's men), was at Coloma, along the North Fork of the American River where they would gather and mill timber to be used either at the fort or other structures in Sacramento. It was while Marshall was at Coloma, that he found that riveting gold nugget in the mill's tailrace, which forever changed California history.

Coloma is approximately 35 - 40 miles from Sacramento. To get lumber to Sacramento, they would float it down the river from Coloma.

There is an interesting webpage that provides really fascinating history about James Marshall. His great grandfather was a signer to the Declaration of Independence.

Here's the link: http://www.historynet.com/james-marshall-californias-gold-discoverer.htm

Myrl, I have never heard the story of Sutter helping the Donner party. This is very interesting.

Hi Myrl,

Thanks for the intesting history of Ft. Sutter and the elaboration on Sutter's Mill. I love it when bloggers make time to stick around and answer questions and provide elaborations like you do, Myrl. I know time doesn't allow some people to do so, but I do like how freely you give back to AR members!

Myrl, I thought the 'history lesson' was facinating....I didn't know about this special place and I'm glad they were able to preserve some of it. I love places steeped in history and this would certainly be one of them.

Hi Myrl- When I was a kid, my dad had an office on "J" and I have so many fond memories of time spent at the Fort and on the beautiful grounds. Even though I now live in San Antonio, I always drive by whenever I'm back in my hometown. Thanks for sharing this special place with others. --Sara

Myrl...thanks for the history lesson ...there are to many parks closing up from budget cuts I'm glad this one stayed open even though they cut the hours...peace zane

That looks like a great place to visit. I love learning the history of a community.

NOV

Hi Myrl, I find your posts fascinating- always something new to learn and to think about. Too bad Sutter could not send more supplies to the Donner party, though :-)

Myrl, thanks for your post about Sutter's Fort...makes me want to visit it for the first time soon! :)

Leilani

Shirley - At Sutter's Fort there are artifacts of the Donner Party, that make for interesting viewing.

Bruce - Interestingly enough the comments that come in often trigger certain memories of events, or move me to explore a topic a little more. Thank you for your kind words! I do understand the time constraints sometimes, and worry that I don't get back to all the people I'd like to respond to.

Carole - Me too! When I visited London, I was there 10 days thinking it would be more than enough time. You could spend a year in London and not see it all. There is just so many hundreds of years there - and the artifacts and landmarks to go with it.

Sara - I worked on "J" street between 8th and 9th, when I was in my 20s. It was a real estate and insurance company (Artz & Cook).

Zane - Hopefully, one day, we will see them all open again.

Janna - It's a really neat place. . .and kids love it too!

Mary - I continually worry about the consistency of my posts. One day I can be talking about credit repair, the next day it may be about some journey I've made to a place of interest, or it may be a favorite recipe. . .I seem to bounce all over the place:-)

Leilani - I think you would enjoy a trip there. . .It's really quite interesting.

Hey Myrl - This is an interesting bit of our history here in the west. I love learning about these things, as you know! Northern California is a 'Gold Mine' of colorful tales!

Debi

Hi Myrl,

That does look a wonderful place to visit. Thank you for the history lesson too!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Steve

NOV

Both my children have been to Sutter's Fort on previous school field trips and on both occassions I was a volunteer chaperone, I'd heard that they were thretening to shut it down. I'm happy to hear that it is still open and our children will continue to learn about California's rich history. Everytime we drive by the Fort, my kids both remember how "cool" that place was to visit. I think it's time for another visit soon. thanks for the information.

NOV

Hello Myrl and that is a very interesting photograph and a even more interesting post full of "Great" information about Cali! Your post has been featured in one of my favorite groups at Activerain ..................

CALIFORNIA DREAMING

VB ;o)

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