State Historic Park Sutter's Fort SHP is open daily. It is closed
Thanksgiving,
Christmas and New Years Day.
Sutter's Fort is located
in the heart of the City of Sacramento. While many tourists don't even
know it exists, its worth a visit. The gift store has a fantastic
selection of books and CDs that you'll enjoy. History re-enactments
occur regularly (mostly on weekends) and provide learning opportunities
through. This Sacramento gem is surrounded by the huge cement buildings
that inhabit the city, but you can close your eyes and almost imagine
the time in which this fort set on a hill was constructed.
About Sutter's Fort:
In 1839 a Swiss immigrant named John Sutter received a 48,000-acre land
grant in the Sacramento Valley from the Mexican government. He used the
land to create a flourishing agricultural empire and named it New
Helvetia (New Switzerland.) This empire established Sacramento’s
earliest settlement and the first non-Indian settlement in California’s
Central Valley.
In 1847 Sutter sent aid to the Donner Party, a group of immigrants
trapped in a winter storm in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Word spread
and Sutter became known for his hospitality and for providing temporary
refuge to travelers. This reputation made New Helvetia the destination
for early immigrants to California.
Less than a decade after they were established, Sutter’s properties were
overrun by gold seekers 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.
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.
Monday - 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: 916-324-7405.
A self-guided audio tour is available.
Special events are scheduled throughout the year.
Sutter's Fort Trade Store provides a large variety of authentic gifts
and publications relating to California history including the Overland
Trail and Gold Rush. The store is non-profit and operated by the
Sacramento Historic Sites Association in cooperation with the California
State Parks.
Summer and spring are warm; fall and winter can be cool. Layered
clothing is advised.
Activities include exhibits and programs, guided tours, facilities,
restrooms and a visitors center. (Information supplied by
California State Parks)
MUSEUMS
California Military Museum 1115 Second
Street (916) 442-2883 An interpretive museum with
authentic clothing, equipment and
stories from our nation's rich military past.
California State Railroad Museum 111 I
Street (916) 445-6645 The largest interpretive railroad museum
in the nation with exhibits and activities for the whole family. See beautifully
restored locomotives and cars from the 1860s to the 1960s.
Crocker Art Museum Third and
O Street (916) 264-5423 Featuring Victorian architecture, Early
California painting collections, Old Master drawings and colorful
contemporary California art.
Discovery Museum 101 I Street (916)
264-7057 A public service, educational institution established
to foster the wonder and curiosity in us all. Explore, experience
and examine. Learning has never been more fun.
Schoolhouse Museum Front and L Street
(916) 483-8818 An authentic one-room schoolhouse.
Spectacular Russian Dinosaur Exhibition
1126 Second Street 888-264-8763 World's largest, authentic, traveling
dinosaur exhibition, including the 20 foot Saurolophus and the 16 foot
Tyrannosaurus. Open to the public. Call to schedule groups.
Sutter's Fort 2710 L Street
(916) 445-4422 Sacramento's earliest settlement was founded in 1839.
Self guided audio tours are available.
Towe Ford Museum 2200 Front Street
(916) 442-6802 Featuring exhibits of the American Automobile.
Wells Fargo Museum Corner of Second
and J Streets (916) 440-4263 Stagecoaches, gold, mining, business,
commerce are all colorfully interpreted for visitors. ATM, W.A.
