March 27 Carlos Alcala Speaker at Annual Meeting - A thoroughly interesting speaker, Mr. Alcala is a Stanford Phi Beta Kappa, a successful Jeopardy contestant, a Sacramento Bee columnist, and one of our region’s most engaging writers. Author of Sacramento Street Whys: The Whys Guy’s Wise Guide to Sacramento Street Names, he told us the stories behind the names of many familiar, and not so familiar, streets.
For example, Bigler Way in the eastern part of the city: John Bigler, California’s third governor had a somewhat checkered career. In 1852, just three years after he arrived in California, he vigorously opposed Chinese immigration, thinking it contributed to lawlessness. He also “had reservations about the Indian reservations.” He said they deprived white settlers of good farmland! Eventually, John Bigler was appointed by President Buchanan as an American representative to Chile. The San Francisco Daily Alta Californian responded happily: “We are exceedingly obliged to Mr. Buchanan for having done us the favor to
appoint Mr. Bigler to a foreign mission.” Still, the legislature named Lake Bigler in the Sierras after him, though changed their minds in 1870 and gave it the name Lake Tahoe!
McClatchy Way was named for James McClatchy who did not find riches in gold in 1849 and found work for several of the city’s many newspapers, eventually leading the only one that survived, The Sacramento Bee. He was in favor of the landless squatters who rioted in 1850, editorializing, “Let us put up all the squatter’s fences pulled down, and let us put up all the men who pulled them down.” He meant “Hang ‘em!” His reward was a brief stay on a floating prison in the Sacramento River. Fifteen years later he became Sacramento’s sheriff during the Civil War, but lost his seat due to election fraud when his opponents stuffed pro-McClatchy ballots in a chimney!
The old Monterey Trail became Stockton Blvd. Part of Sutterville Road was called Whiskey Hill Road. Front Street is now called The Embarcadero, it’s original name.
Greenback Lane was named by Constantina Van Maren whose family owned the western part of the land needed for the right of way. Some time in the 1860s she sold it to the government and was paid in greenbacks, the paper currency issued during the Civil War. Some years later the U.S. Supreme Court ruled them unconstitutional. A 1990 California state Senate proclamation given to Van Maren’s descendants says officials came back to Van Maren in 1873 to ask her what to call the road on the right-of-way they bought. “She replied,” the proclamation reads, “Why don’t you call it Greenback Lane! It’s as worthless as the money you paid me for it.”
Asked how he goes about his research, Mr. Alcala described the Sacramento Bee’s clipping files as his main source. He uses old City Directories, old maps, and interviews with “old timers.” Old snap shots, all the libraries and the Sacramento Archives round out his sleuthing.
Excitement Builds for May 17 trip to Folsom - The light rail line along Hwy. 50 ends at the historic Folsom area where the original train from Sacramento used to debark in the 1800s. At 9:30 am our group will meet at the Watt Avenue/Manlove station on Folsom Blvd. where there is easy parking.
At 10:23 am we will arrive at Folsom for a guided tour of the fine history museum facing the tracks. Then we will enjoy a self-guided tour of the Folsom History Interpretive Area, a wonderful outdoor exhibit of Gold Rush crafts and pioneer lifestyles.
We will lunch at “My Brother Vinny’s” and follow with a tour of the Old Folsom Power House, one of the oldest hydroelectric facilities in the world. H.P. Livermore realized that the water of the American River could turn generators for electricity for Sacramento, 22 miles downstream. Up to that time power had never been transmitted more than 5 miles. With his partners, he built the powerhouse which still looks much as it did originally, with its vintage generators. The opening in 1895 brought with it a “grand electric carnival” parade through downtown Sacramento and a 100 gun salute from soldiers near the substation at 6th and H Streets in Sacramento.
Those who would prefer to browse the antique stores and art galleries along Sutter Street may skip the power house. We will rendezvous at the Folsom light rail station and depart Folsom at 2:30 pm, arriving at Sacramento at 2:57 pm.
All the areas are within easy walking distance of each other. The cost, including the light rail trip, admission, docent fees, and lunch, is $35.00 per person, (a bargain!).
Reservations must be made by May 7. Call Merren Forsgren - 482-4599 or Kay Wood - 482-9757 if you have questions. The reservations flier is included with this newsletter. Merren and Kay need to know the number of light rail tickets you will need for ages up to 62 years and those 62 years to 75 years. Those beyond 75 and older ride free on light rail!
May 17 Fundraiser for Cemetery Trust Slated at Historic Nicolaus Ranch - As Dick Frink announced at the Annual Meeting, the amount raised thus far toward our goal of $250,000 for the endowment for perpetual care of our Pioneer Grove in the Old Sacramento City Cemetery is $222,000.
In an effort to meet the challenge, Wendel Flint and Patsy Dwyer have opened their lovely ranch home to us for an afternoon of touring the Cosumnes River Preserve followed by a delicious dinner prepared by a well known chef. Events will include a scenic hay ride through the Valley Oaks that are now part of the nature preserve to view the natural beauty of the forest and the wildflowers. This will be followed by cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at the house deck which affords a splendid view of the coast range and setting sun. A gourmet dinner will be served in the large barn.
The Nicolaus Ranch has been in Wendel’s family since 1872 and was once a 2000 acre cattle ranch. Now, most of the original land grants in the area are part of the Cosumnes River Preserve, a 40,000 acre sanctuary for Sandhill cranes, mule deer, Valley Oaks and many other Sacramento Valley plants and animals. The cost of the evening is $250 per person. Remember, it’s a fundraiser for the Pioneer Cemetery Trust. Send reservations to 1721 2nd Street, #100, Sacramento, CA 95811.
Golden Bears in Saudi Arabia by L. Miles Snyder READ MORE
Fred Harrold - Fred follows his sister Martha MacBride and son Fritz Harrold into membership in this fine organization. He couldn’t resist, stating, “It sounds like fun.” Nominated by Joan Taylor, he looks forward to learning more about the early 20th century in Sacramento.
He and his wife Erda live in Sierra Oaks where he is retired from Harrold Ford and busy as a community volunteer. He is a past president of the Sacramento Children’s Home, a past board member of Good Will and of the Sacramento Chamber of Commerce. He is active in Sacramento Rotary, the Crocker Art Museum, Del Paso Country Club, Arden Hills Country Club, The Merchant Bank board, and the Shriners.
• Add headline - Excitement Builds for May 17 trip to Folsom. Add text as follows:
If you wish to honor a departed loved one or someone in your family from years ago, the Memorial Stone may answer your need. It is located at the entrance to the Pioneer section of the Old City Cemetery. Engraving a name and dates of birth or death is not costly; yet it is permanent and respectful. To inquire about this, call Joan Taylor at 489-0413.
April 13 through 20, 2008
U.S. Historic Sites Tour
Join the Sacramento Pioneers on a Tauck Tour to Philadelphia, Gettysburg, Montecello, Williamsburg, and Washington DC. The price of the tour will be approx. $2200.00 + insurance & air. You will receive a letter and flyer about this exciting tour in September. Early sign-up will be necessary for the maximum number is 26.
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Sacramento Pioneer Association
1721 - 2nd Street #100, Sacramento, CA 95811
TEL: 916-447-7411 | FAX: 916- 447-7430
E-mail: history@sacramentopioneer.org
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