Uncovering Sacramento’s underground

Posted in A to Z, Sacramento Sights2 Comments

Sacramento’s underground is a little different than the “underground” you might be picturing in an average city.

Instead of a subway system or even a series of semi-legal establishments, our underground is literally the original street level from the 1860s and 70s.

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Photo via VisitCalifornia.com

That’s right: Sacramento is jacked up – and that’s a good thing!

Due to its placement along two rivers, early settlers of Sacramento experienced a lot of flooding. Even once they wised up and starting building things further back from the water’s edge, flooding was a regular occurrence. So, what did they decide to do? Jack up the buildings by 10 feet, and keep it moving.

Makes sense, right? Some cities put their buildings on stilts, some build floodplains, and others just build on top of existing structures.

Indeed, according to this article in the Sacramento Press, “Sacramentans’ plan was three-pronged: to reroute the rivers, reinforce the levees and raise the central city.” So, in addition to jacking up buildings, there were plenty of other ways the city fought nature to keep our streets high and dry.

Learn more about Sacramento’s old-school underground at the Sacramento History Museum (101 I Street, in Old Sacramento). Tours cost $18 for adults, $12 for children ages 6-17, and are free for children ages 5 and under (though are not recommended for this age group). For those 21 and up, be sure to check out the Underground After Hours tour ($25 per person) for a tour with 100% more scandal, mayhem and intrigue!

Touring the Tower Bridge

Posted in A to Z, Sacramento Sights1 Comment

In case you’ve been wondering what that golden bridge at the top of my blog is, today you finally receive an answer: it’s Sacramento’s infamous Tower Bridge!

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Photo by Stephen Leonardi on Unsplash

The Tower Bridge is a vertical lift bridge that connects downtown Sacramento to West Sacramento, crossing over the Sacramento River. The bridge itself is 52 feet wide, 737 feet long, and 160 feet tall.

Fun fact about the bridge’s dedication ceremony: After an inaugural parade marched across the bridge on December 15, 1935, 1,000 homing pigeons were released to carry the news of the bridge’s opening throughout California.

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Photo by Zac Ong on Unsplash

The bridge was actually repainted in its recognizable all-gold color in 2002, and the paint job is expected to last for 30 years, so check back in 2032 to see if we decide to change up the color scheme!

Sightseeing at Sutter’s Fort

Posted in A to Z, Sacramento Sights1 Comment

Open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM, Sutter’s Fort is a piece of Old Sacramento that’s worth a look.

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Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park map via California Department of Parks and Recreation

As per the standard historical line, John Sutter received a land grant from Mexico in 1839 and built an agricultural empire that he named New Helvetia (aka New Switzerland). This was was considered to be the earliest non-native settlement of what would later become Sacramento.

Sutter sent aid to the Donner Party in 1847, which helped cement his reputation as a provider of temporary refuge for travelers in need, which in turn made his settlement an ideal destination for new immigrants to the state of California.

As per the parks department’s brochure about Sutter’s Fort, “He remains a perplexing figure. Sutter was a visionary, swindler, soldier, patriot, debtor, patriarch, victim, friend, yet also enemy, to the California Indians. He died in 1880 in Lititz, Pennsylvania, far from the vibrant community he helped to create.”

Whether you’re a history buff or want to ask the docents some tough questions about this Sutter fellow, a trip to the fort is an inexpensive way to spend the day. Admission is $5 for adults (18+), $3 for youth (ages 6-17) and free for children 5 and under.