Sutter's Fort, Sacramento (must see)

It all started here and it is, therefore, safe to say that without Sutter's Fort there would have been no Gold Rush in California back in the mid-1800s.

Builder Johann Sutter called his fort "New Helvetia" when he began building it in Mexican Alta California in 1839. The name was a homage to his native Switzerland. It was the first non-indigenous community in California's central valley. Being conveniently located near the California Trail and the Siskiyou Trail, the building was a foundational component of Sacramento's future development.

Sutter left Switzerland in 1834, sailed to the US, and worked his way west as a trader. He even traveled to Alaska and Hawaii while attempting to reinvent himself but eventually decided to settle on the banks of the American River with an eye on agriculture. After constructing the fort and developing the community, Sutter was given Mexican citizenship, a land grant, and was appointed by the governor as captain of the Sacramento troops. Despite being Mexican, Sutter was friendly to American migrants and sentiments.

The fort was the site of the beginning of the gold rush, where James Marshall showed Sutter the gold found during the building of Sutter's sawmill along the American River. After the gold rush had gotten underway, the fort was mostly deserted. Sutter was cheated out of any profits he might have gained from the gold rush and wound up selling the fort and losing all of his holdings.

Towards the end of the 19th century, many citizens worked to protect landmarks from the pioneer days. The fort was repaired and under the Native Sons of the Golden West's management for many years and then transferred to the state park system in 1947.

Why You Should Visit:
The California Parks and Recreation Department has restored the main building of the fort to its original condition. It's open daily for self-guided tours. You'll find period furnishings, exhibits, and a trade store. The original fort housed a bakery, grist mill, blanket factory, gunsmith, and blacksmith shop. Up to 300 people worked in and lived around the fort. The restored fort provides a glimpse into what life was like for early settlers and pioneers.

Tips:
Check out the park's website for information on their "Living History Days" that reenact and recreate life during Sutter's time. Also, don't miss the trade store, which houses crafts, books, and gifts that transport visitors back in time.