DISCOVER THE ADVENTURE
SUTTER'S FORT

Visit Sutter's Fort State Historic Park to get an authentic look at how the 49ers were greeted after their long and arduous journeys, whether they came overland by covered wagon or traveled around the Horn!

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Johann Augustus Sutter

In order to do so, he left behind his wife, Anna, and their 5 children, planning to send for them when he could.

I always wonder how the women and children who were left behind managed to support themselves while their men were gone, don't you? Sutter didn't send for Anna and the children until 1850! What did they do for sixteen years?

It wasn't until mid-August, 1839 that Sutter made his way to the area now known as Sacramento. He traveled up the Sacramento and American Rivers to the spot where 28th and C Streets meet today - only about one mile from where he built New Helvetia, which is now known as Sutter's Fort.

In the beginning years of New Helvetia, Sutter made quite a
lucrative series of businesses for himself - he was engaged in farming, fur trading, distilling whiskey and brandy, tanning, brewing beer, and many other activities that brought in money and provisions for him and his Samoan and Indian workers, and made life a little more comfortable.

Sutter's Fort Entrance Plaque

But Sutter's major contribution to the settlement of Northern California - apart from the obvious one that he owned the sawmill where James Marshall first discovered gold - was the sanctuary and assistance he offered to settlers who came from all over the world.

He often provided free accommodations and supplies to the new arrivals at his settlement who had been wiped out by the mere process of getting to California. And he was instrumental in recruiting settlers to begin the journey from back East in the first place!

A Bedroom

Today you can take a self-guided tour of Sutter's Fort to see what
life was like for John Sutter and his people.

The fort is renovated to the specifications of the 1848 Kunzul Map, and is fitted out with period furniture, dishes, armory, doctor's surgery, bakery, etc.

There's a self-guided audio tour with stations at each shop and room to tell you what you're looking at, complete with historic details.

The Bakery

At certain times of the year, you'll also find special events and reenactments to help you understand life in California during the 1800s:

Pioneer Woman

• Living History Days, when the fort returns to 1846 with costumed docents who become historical characters who might actually have visited the Fort in 1846
• Pioneer Demonstration Days, when you can participate in the activities being demonstrated by period-costumed docents - see what it took to accomplish life's tasks in the 1840s
• Summer Interpretive Program, which runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend, perfect timing for a summer excursion when the kidlettes are getting bored with their summer

There's also the State Indian Museum right next door to the fort,
with its Native American artifacts, photographs, and basket collection. Enjoy the hands-on area where you can try using Indian tools, and visit the Museum Store for Native-made jewelry, gourds, and other items.

And it's all set in a beautiful park setting - right in the middle of modern-day Sacramento!

Sutter's Fort is a perfect second stop while you're in Sacramento as part of your California Gold Rush explorations - the first stop being Old Sacramento, which is only about two-and-a-half miles away!

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Sutter's Fort is only one of the ways that you can step back in time to the California Gold Rush days:

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