Almaden
Quicksilver Mining Museum
Mining operations in New Almaden first began in 1845 under the
claim of Mexican Cavalry Officer Captain Andres Castillero. Castillero
discovered that the red rock used by the local Ohlone Indians
to paint them and the walls of the Santa Clara Mission was cinnabar,
an ore containing mercury. The valuable mercury was needed to
process silver in Mexican silver mines.
Alum
Rock Park History
California's first and oldest park. The park which was founded
in 1872, was simply referred to as the "reservation."
The name Alum Rock was derived from a huge rock that was believed
to contain a high percentage of alum.
Ardenwood Farm
In 1849 George Washington Patterson joined the stream of young
men leaving the Midwest for California's gold fields. His dreams
left little room for failure, but after a year and a half of
mining he was ill and broke. And so he turned to work he knew
well -- farming.
The Bear
Flag Revolt
With Fremont's "army" nearby, and belief in the rumor
that Castro was gathering forces to expel the Americans, the
local settlers became emboldened enough to steal some horses
meant for Castro's army, then to storm Vallejo's "fort"
at Sonoma June 14, 1846.
California
As We Saw It
Exploring the California Gold Rush. By Gary F. Kurutz, Curator
of Special Collections, California State Library.
California
in the Civil War
Most people forget that California was a part of the Union during
the Civil War. This page is meant to help broaden people's awareness
of the role that California played in preserving the union.
Discovery
of Gold in California
It was in the first part of January, 1848, when the gold was
discovered at Coloma, where John Sutter was then building a saw-mill.
A first-hand account.
Fallon
House
Restored to how homes looked during the Civil War era in California,
you can easily see this home and the Peralta Adobe next door
in one trip.
Frémont
in the Conquest of California
In the autumn of 1845 Frémont came on his second exploring
expedition to California.
Gold Rush
- American Experience on PBS
See if you have what it takes to strike it rich in the gold rush!
Choose a character and try to strike it rich in our online role-playing
game.
Gold
Rush Chronicles
Here before you, in a leather-bound book on an old wooden table,
is a history of the great California Gold Rush. Discover the
colorful stories that lie unfurled on these pages and unlock
a taste of that famous era. Learn how the Gold Rush affected
the world not so long ago.
Gold Rush Sesquicentennial
"Boys," Marshall told the group of laborers who were
helping him build the sawmill, "By God, I believe I have
found a gold mine." Sacramento Bee 4-part story of the Gold
Rush.
Guadalupe River
Park
Local historians have always been aware that a settlement known
as the Woolen Mills Chinatown was located near Taylor Street
between 1887 and 1902.
History
of the Donner Party - C. F. McGlashan
The far-famed Donner Party were, in a peculiar sense, pioneer
martyrs of California. Before the discovery of gold, before the
highway across the continent was fairly marked out, while untold
dangers lurked by the wayside, and unnumbered foes awaited the
emigrants, the Donner Party started for California.
Historic
Sights in Felton
Felton had its start in 1843 when Isaac Graham transferred his
limber mill from the Zayante land grant to the San Lorenzo River
at Fall Creek.
Historic Niles
The community of Niles is rich in history and has gained recognition
as a truly unique spot in the San Francisco Bay Area.
History
of the University of California
This websource provides access to a growing collection of digitized
historical documents, images and materials, along with past and
current analysis on the history of the UC, and more generally
the role of higher education in society.
The Houghton Donner House
156 E. St. John Street, San Jose, and right in the way of the
Civic Center expansion, is a late -Victorian Italianate style
and was home to two historically important San Joseans, early
mayor Sherman Houghton and his wife, Donner Party survivor Eliza Donner Houghton. "Suspicious" fire burns historic Donner Houghton house to the ground in July 2007.
How
California Came to be Admitted
The first Legislature assembled on December 15th for temporary
organization in San Jose, the new seat of government. Of more
significance, doubtless, was the fact that on the following Thursday,
December 20, 1849, the State government of California was formally
established. By Rockwell D. Hunt, Ph. D
Joseph
D. Grant County Park
In 1839, a 15,000-acre Mexican Land Grant was awarded to Jose
de Jesus Bernal and was named Rancho Canada de Pala. Jose de
Jesus and his two brothers built adobes around a spring-fed pond
on a ridge overlooking the Santa Clara Valley.
Juana
Briones
A long-living ranchera acquired a large spread in Santa Clara
Valley and shared it with others.
Lighthouses
of California
In 1853, the firm of Francis A. Gibbons and Francis Kelly was
awarded the contract to build the states first seven light houses.
By October of 1853, the lighthouse on Alcatraz Island was built.
Eventually, over 40 lighthouses would be built.
Lost Wineries and Vineyards of Fremont, California
History of the Gallegos Winery, McIver Winery, Williams Bros., Weibel Winery, and the California Nursery Company.
Mexican
California
Under Mexican rule governors were encouraged to make more grants
for individual ranchos, and these grants were to be outright.
Mexican
Years: 1822 to 1846
The early 19th century saw growing discontent in New Spain's
society. Revolts started in 1810 and extended through 1821, when
a revolution led to formation of the Mexican Republic.
Mt.
View History
In 1850 Mt View had its beginnings as a stage stop. A nicely
documented and illustrated part of the community site.
Peralta
Family and the Rancho San Antonio
The Peralta Family had a huge rancho that encompassed most of
the East Bay from present day El Cerrito down to San Leandro.
Santa
Clara Valley Mill & Lumber Company - 1870's
The demand for firewood and building lumber by the citizens and
towns of the Santa Clara Valley produced a road over the summit
from Saratoga to the San Lorenzo Valley in 1870.
Stanford
Lands
The first parcel, bought in 1876, was 650 acres along San Francisquito
Creek. Purchase of adjoining parcels ran the total to 8,180 acres,
the whole of which was given to the University in the 1885 Grant
of Endowment with the stipulation that it never be sold.
William
T. Sherman and Early California History
Sherman arrives in California and describes the Monterey area
in 1847. Additional links tell of his experiences during the
Gold Rush.
The
Winchester Mystery House Story
In 1884, a wealthy widow named Sarah L. Winchester began a construction
project of such magnitude that it was to occupy the lives of
carpenters and craftsmen until her death thirty-eight years later.
Wine
101: History of Wine
California's first documented imported European wine vines were
planted in Los Angeles in 1833 by Jean-Louis Vignes. In the 1850s
and '60s, the colorful Agoston Harazsthy, a Hungarian soldier,
merchant and promoter, made several trips to import cuttings
from 165 of the greatest European vineyards to California.
