History
Native Americans have lived in the area for perhaps thousands of years. These people left little evidence of their existence. In either 1799 or 1808, the Spanish explorer Gabriel Moraga discovered and named the Sacramento Valley and Sacramento River. "Es como el sagrado sacramento!(This is like the Holy Sacrament.)"
In 1848, when gold was discovered , a large number of gold-seekers came to the area, increasing the population. John Sutter, Jr . then planned the City of Sacramento, naming the city after the Sacramento River for commercial reasons.
==Sacramento's Chinatown==
Throughout the early 1840s and 1850s, China was at war with Great Britain and France in the First and Second Opium Wars. The wars, along with endemic poverty in China, helped drive many Chinese immigrants to America. Many first came to San Francisco, which was then the largest city in California, which was known as "Dai Fow" (The Big City) and some came eventually to Sacramento (then the second-largest city in California), which is known as "Yee Fow" (Second City). Many of these immigrants came in hopes for a better life as well as the possibility of finding gold in the foothills east of Sacramento.
==California's State Capital Building==
The California Legislature moved to Sacramento in 1854. The capital of California under Spanish rule had been Monterey. In the 1879 Constitutional Convention, Sacramento was named to be the permanent state capital.
With its new status and strategic location, Sacramento quickly prospered and became the western end of the Pony Express, and later the First Transcontinental Railroad(which began construction in Sacramento in 1863)
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| Sacramento in 1849 |
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| Inside the historical Sutter's Fort. Main building housing John Sutter's offices. 2009 |
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| California's State Capitol Building |
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| Sacramento City Hall |
Notable residents
Notable people with ties to Sacramento include actor Sam Elliott, actor Colin Hanks, baseball player Steve Sax, businessman and philanthropist Charles R. Schwab, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, musician Craig Chaquico, musician Cynthia Robinson, Los Angeles public health "czar" Kim Harrison Eowan, designer architect Ray Eames, retired USMC Lieutenant General John F. Goodman, painter Wayne Thiebaud, photographer Michael Williamson, videographer Justin Carter, philosopher Cornel West, author J. Maarten Troost, astronaut Stephen Robinson, the mayor ofBakersfield from 1981–1985, and her husband, the then petroleum lobbyist Joe Shell, lived in Sacramento during the 1970s.
Notable people with ties to Sacramento include actor Sam Elliott, actor Colin Hanks, baseball player Steve Sax, businessman and philanthropist Charles R. Schwab, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, musician Craig Chaquico, musician Cynthia Robinson, Los Angeles public health "czar" Kim Harrison Eowan, designer architect Ray Eames, retired USMC Lieutenant General John F. Goodman, painter Wayne Thiebaud, photographer Michael Williamson, videographer Justin Carter, philosopher Cornel West, author J. Maarten Troost, astronaut Stephen Robinson, the mayor ofBakersfield from 1981–1985, and her husband, the then petroleum lobbyist Joe Shell, lived in Sacramento during the 1970s.
Shopping Area
@Arden Fair
1689 Arden Way, Suite 1167 • Sacramento, CA 95815
Located off Business 80
916-920-4809
Sacramento's largest mall, this mall contains over 165 specialty shops, including Nordstrom,... more... map
@Country Club Plaza
2401 Butano Drive • Sacramento, CA 95825
916-481-6716
This shopping mall has two anchors, Macy's and Gottschalks, and it features more than 40 specialty... more... map
@Old Sacramento Historic District
1111 Second Street • Sacramento, CA 95814
916-558-3912
This historic district is filled with 124 specialty shops, restaurants, and museums for year-round... more... map
@Pavilions
563 Pavilions Lane • Sacramento, CA 95825
916-925-4463
Sacramento's leading fashion specialty center, this shopping place provides cosmopolitan shopping... more... map
@Westfield Shoppingtown Downtown Plaza
547 L Street • Sacramento, CA 95814
916-442-4000
Sacramento's vibrant landmark shopping complex, this plaza features Macy's, United Artists... more... map
=Souvenirs=
@Destination Sacramento
545 Downtown Plaza #1005 • Sacramento, CA 95814
916-498-0601
Imprinted sportswear, casual clothing, and souvenirs in this shop represent the best of... more..
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=Sporting Goods=
@Bike Sacramento
1050 Front Street, Suite 110 • Sacramento, CA 95814
916-444-0200
Sacramento's premier bicycle rental place, this shop offers the newest in bikes, tandems, and... more... map
=Themes=
@Capitol Books & Gift Shop
Located in the State Capitol Basement
916-324-0313
This store specializes in California memorabilia and California history books. In addition to the... more...
Useful Websites
