The Hotel Senator, which was designed by Kenneth MacDonald and G. Albert Lansburgh, opened in 1924. The 400-room hotel is located directly across the street from the state capitol, and its location frequently meant that the hotel hosted movers and shakers in California politics. It was built in the Renaissance Revival style and was modeled on the Farnese Palace in Rome.&nbsp; In its heyday, the hotel was a hub of activity for the city's leading citizens, as well as Hollywood royalty. In 1927, Charles Lindbergh was honored with a reception at the hotel following his transatlantic flight. Earlier that year, Buster Keaton spent several weeks in the hotel while filming a movie.&nbsp; The hotel hosted its share of political luminaries as well. Governors Ronald Reagan and Jerry Brown and Presidents Richard Nixon and Jimmy Carter each visited the hotel. It was just outside the hotel in 1975 that President Gerald Ford was the target of an assassination attempt by Manson family member Squeaky Fromme.&nbsp; Despite being added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, the hotel closed a few weeks later and remained shuttered for several years. It reopened in 1983 as office space for lobbyists, giving them easy access to the capitol. In recent years, there have been talks about restoring the building and reopening it as a hotel, but as recently as 2015 the property was for sale.&nbsp;

Built in 1924 in the Renaissance Revival style, Sacramento's grand Hotel Senator has long been an integral part of city life, in one capacity or another. For decades, it functioned as a hotel, hosting both politicians and celebrities. Since the 1980s, the building has housed offices used by lobbyists, giving them easy access to the capitol, which is across the street.  

Hotel Senator 

A short walking tour provides a quick cross-section of architectural highlights and public monuments! A great way to learn about some of Sacramento's downtown landmarks along with the state capitol complex.

The roots of Sacramento’s oldest church parish predate even the ratification of California’s statehood. In the midst of the Gold Rush, an Episcopal pastor arrived in August 1849 from San Francisco and noted the complete absence of an organized church community. The first service that month was held in a Blacksmith shop on 3rd Street, between J and K Streets. The following day, the freshly-minted parishioners formalized their newfound community as “Grace Church” in the store of member Eugene Gillespie.Though attempts to establish a permanent home for Grace Church were severely impeded by the great floods and fires of the next two years, on 29 July 1854, “Grace Protestant Episcopal Church of Sacramento” was legally incorporated. In 1856, a brick church was finally erected with seating for 300. Fifteen years later, however, the walls of this structure had begun to settle, and a new building was commissioned nearby in 1871. Owing to a dip in membership, however, Grace Episcopal found itself unable to pay the debt on its new $26,000 structure. By 1877, the church was bankrupt.This was not to be its end, however. Grace’s community rallied and, with the help of some wealthy patrons, purchased the building and started fresh as St. Paul’s Protestant Episcopal Church in March 1877. A fresh surge of activity accompanied its rebirth, and during the 1880s and 1890s prominent Sacramentans like the family ex-governor and rail tycoon Leland Stanford and that of his Transcontinental Railroad compatriot, Charles Crocker, were part of the parish. Stanford and his wife donated a massive stained glass window to memorialize their young son, who had recently died. Mrs. Crocker donated a stained glass window in memory of her son’s wife. When storms in the 1890s damaged the church structure and it was condemned, these priceless memorial windows were removed for installation in the new church. Construction of the current church commenced in 1903--one of the few stone churches in the state at the time. Later called “one of the finest ecclesiastical edifices in the northern part of California,” its construction was not without controversy. By 1906, the parish was heavily in debt due to the new church’s construction. Former Rector Charles Miel, who had led St. Paul’s for several years, had used considerable personal funds to keep construction going. Upon leaving the church to pursue business, St. Paul’s was unable to repay him, and he threatened to sue. The resurrected specter of St. Paul’s bankruptcy was front page news for the Sacramento Union newspaper in 1906, when the half-completed structure still lacked a roof.The community rallied once more, and by October 1911 the granite, gothic structure was substantially completed enough to host the “First Annual Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Sacramento,” for which St. Paul’s became the headquarters. This would change by the 1960s, as plans were already underway for the Trinity Cathedral (which also remains in the city to this day).Nonetheless, St. Paul’s Episcopal has retained its place at the historic heart of Sacramento--an architectural rarity for its resemblance to traditional English gothic churches--and still features the famed Tiffany-made stained glass of the Stanfords (though it was temporarily removed for fear of damage during the neighboring Sacramento Convention Center’s expansion in the 1990s). The memorial window commissioned by Mrs. Crocker was destroyed in a 1914 fire, and was replaced by a piece commissioned later.St. Paul’s place in the community has also been further cemented by its acoustics, which have made it a much-demanded concert venue through the decades--a reputation further enhanced by its possession of a Tracker organ built in 1877, one of the oldest organs on the West Coast.<div> </div>

In addition to being one of Sacramento’s oldest church structures, St. Paul’s Episcopal claims the title of oldest continuously functioning parish in the city, being directly descended from a small Episcopal community that first met in Blacksmith shop in 1849. After residences in several structures through the 1800s, the cornerstone of St. Paul’s present structure was laid in 1903. The church features some of California’s most prized stained glass windows, which were donated by prominent parishioners Leland Stanford and Mrs. Charles Crocker, respectively.

St. Paul's Episcopal Church

When Sacramento's Memorial
Auditorium opened in 1927, it was lauded as “a most significant step in the
growth of Sacramento” and “a monument to the arts.”1 The auditorium, funded by
$1 million worth of municipal bonds, was part of a larger initiative in the
early twentieth century to improve the city. Along with better utilities, new
water systems, and the city’s first college, Sacramento also invested in the
arts, building the Memorial Auditorium to offer citizens and visitors
professional symphonies and choral performances. 

The Memorial Auditorium was
dedicated to those who gave their lives in World War I. City Engineer Allan J.
Wagner and City Architect James S. Dean collaborated with outside consultants
to construct the Memorial Auditorium, including G. Albert Landsburgh, who
designed a number of theatres, and Arthur Brown, Jr., whose architectural firm
designed Berkeley City Hall and Stanford University’s library. The land on
which the Memorial Auditorium is built was given to the city by John A. Sutter,
who settled the area that is now Sacramento. The land originally held the Mary
J. Waters Grammar School, which was razed to build the auditorium. This was not
without controversy, as one of Sutter’s heirs, arguing that the land was intended
only for parks and schools, sued the city. The auditorium was nonetheless
constructed and opened on February 21, 1927.&nbsp;

The auditorium incorporates distinct
architectural features and building materials, such as columnns, arches, a clay
tile roof, terra cotta and plaster trimmings, and brick in five shades of color.
Together, these features are an amalgamation of architectural styles found in
early European Renaissance buildings. At the time of the auditorium’s
construction, the City Architect, James S. Dean, characterized this building as
Byzantine, an architectural style developed by the Byzantine Empire in medieval
times. The auditorium’s short arches and grand columnns along its flat,
rectangular façade evoke this style.&nbsp;

Since its opening, the
Memorial Auditorium has hosted a plethora of performances and events, which
contribute to its diverse history. The first few events held at the auditorium
included an Odd Fellows dance, a Saturday Club concert, and the opera Aida. It then began hosting athletic
events, including wrestling and basketball, and added auto shows, flower shows,
dance contests, fundraisers, graduations, and conventions to its resume. Governors
James Rolph, Frank Merriam, and Culbert Olson hosted their inaugural balls at
the auditorium. It continued to provide a stage for performers ranging from
opera companies to the Rolling Stones and the Beach Boys into the late twentieth
century.
The auditorium closed from 1986 to 1996. During that time, it fell into
disrepair and had to be restored before its reopening in 1996. It is now part
of the Convention Center Complex and is listed on the National Register of
Historic Places. Since its reopening, the auditorium has hosted numerous
performers, including Michael Buble, Melissa Etheridge, the Doobie Brothers,
Duran Duran, and Death Cab for Cutie. The auditorium hosted Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger’s inauguration, while many area high schools hold their graduations
on the stage, making it a site of historical importance for the state and
individuals.

The Memorial Auditorium continues
its tradition of being a multi-purpose venue. Current plans to renovate the
auditorium again will help ensure it remains part of Sacramento’s arts and
culture scene. While renovations will update sound and lighting systems,
provide new seating, and improve facilities for both staff and visitors,
preservationists are dedicated to retaining its unique historic character.&nbsp;

Sacramento's Memorial Auditorium opened in 1927, providing the city with an impressive stage for professional performances. It is named in honor of service members who died in World War I. With the exception of a ten-year period, the venue has hosted everything from concerts to high school graduations to gubernatorial inaugurations for almost a century. It seats 3,850 and continues to host events today. The building is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is part of the Sacramento Convention Center Complex.

Sacramento Memorial Auditorium

Ten years after the house was built, Gallatin sold it to another local businessman, Joseph Steffens, who was the father of author and journalist Lincoln Steffens. Steffens owned the house until 1903 when state purchased it to be the governor's residence. In all, 15 governors and their families have lived in the house beginning with Governor Pardee. Ronald Reagan was the last to live here in 1967 (albeit for just a few months; the house was by then quite old and, and Reagan's wife claimed, a "fire trap") before Governor Brown and his wife moved into the home in 2015 after it underwent extensive remodeling. Governor Newsom and his family lived in the house briefly in early 2019 before ultimately deciding they wanted a more family-friendly home. The old house opened to the public not long after the Reagan's left.

Erected in 1877, the historic residence served as the Governor's Mansion from 1903-1967. It was built for local businessman Albert Gallatin, who was a partner in a hardware store called Huntington & Hopkins. The home is a beautiful example of Victorian architecture, featuring an ornate exterior and a four-story tower. It is closed to the public but was a house museum for many years. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.  

Governor's Mansion State Historic Park

The Lais House is located in a prominent location in the Old City of Sacramento. The building is 2.5 stories and 6,500 square feet. It is considered one of the finest examples of Queen Anne architecture in the Old City. Given its age and significant in spite of damage by a fire in 1980, the structure is in remarkably good condition. At the time that the home was commissioned, Charles Lais was an employee of the Southern Pacific Railroad. The Lais family used one floor of the home as their residence and the upper floor for boarding. The home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Charles Lais home was built in 1896 and is regarded as one of the best examples of Queen Anne architecture in the city. The home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Charles Lais House 

The Sacramento Masonic Temple was built in 1854 and was the fortieth Masonic lodge built in the state of California. It was the fifth lodge to be chartered in the city of Sacramento.&nbsp; The five-story building was designed by Sacramento architect Rudolph Herold and was built in a style that combines Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau elements. Herold designed numerous buildings in the Sacramento area, but the Masonic Temple is regarded as one of the finest structures from the early 1900s in the city. Though the building serves numerous functions and is often chosen as a location for weddings and other important events, it still serves as a Masonic temple. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Sacramento Masonic Temple was completed in 1918 and was designed by Rudolph Herold. The building is largely unaltered from the time of its construction and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Sacramento Masonic Temple 

The iconic structure that was, for a time, Sacramento’s tallest building was largely the result of efforts driven by the Sacramento diocese’s first bishop, Patrick Manogue. As a gold miner in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California in the 1850s, Manogue planned from the beginning to use his earnings to finance a religious education. The 6-foot, 3-inch Irishman prospected for four years to support his siblings while continuing studies on his own. At long last, he had saved enough to move to Paris, where he completed his training and was ordained as a Catholic priest. His first assignment, as the Civil War raged in 1862, was Virginia City, Nevada. The silver boom in the area had given birth to a rough frontier town to which the physically imposing Irishman was well-suited. Performing commendably there for eighteen years, he was made Bishop in 1880.In 1884, he was moved to Grass Valley, California, but stayed only two years--Manogue had lobbied to move the headquarters of the archdiocese to Sacramento, no doubt witnessing California’s shift away from prospecting and mining to more permanent enterprises. His efforts met with success. In 1886, the Catholic church officially shuttered the Archdiocese of Grass Valley and opened the new Archdiocese of Sacramento (making Manogue the final bishop of the former and the first bishop of the latter), and work began immediately on the new cathedral.The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament’s design was heavily influenced by the Church of the Holy Trinity in Paris, which Manogue greatly admired during his training there. The exterior was reminiscent of Italian Renaissance church architecture, while the interior was distinctly Victorian (the era in which the Blessed Sacrament was built). Tapped for this ambitious undertaking was San Francisco-based architect Bryan James Clinch, an Irish immigrant like Manogue, who before his death in 1906 would design over thirty Catholic churches and church buildings in California. Manogue’s longstanding friendship with the miners of the area also proved useful as John Mackay, owner of Nevada’s lucrative Comstock Lode, and several other mining magnates donated funds to the construction.The new Cathedral was dedicated three years later in 1889, with seats for 1,400 parishioners. Manogue died in 1895, still bishop of the diocese he built. Manogue’s cunning choice of location next to the Capitol grounds, which he intended to express the co-equal cultural pillars of Church and State, has served the Cathedral well through the 20th Century, as the building has frequently been chosen for state inaugurations and funerals. Former California Governor Pat Brown’s funeral was held there in 1996.Frequent additions, redecorations, and other changes through the decades took their toll on the aesthetic unity of the Cathedral’s interior, however, and the venerable structure’s architectural identity lay much obscured as it entered the 21st Century. In August 2004, the Blessed Sacrament closed its doors to begin a titanic construction project, intended to both modernize the building while restoring it closely to its 1889 appearance. Seismic improvements, marble flooring, and alterations to the pews were made, along with the suspension of a 2,000-pound crucifix. Most dramatic of all was restoration of the original church dome, which had been replaced by a shallower ceiling in the 1930s, for reasons unknown, and of which no photographs existed to aid in reconstruction. It was feared to be destroyed, making restoration all but impossible. Fortunately, when the ceiling was removed, the interior of the original dome was found to be almost entirely intact, which allowed for a detailed and accurate modernization process.Though the renovation also included other huge improvements and refinements, the Cathedral reopened just over a year later in November 2005, at a cost of $34.5 million. Despite the success of the project itself, the diocese received some criticism for the unexpected expense--originally projected at less than $20 million--which is the largest in the diocese’s history, and which critics have pointed out could have gone to charitable causes instead. Church officials pointed out that the money had already been allotted, and would serve to keep the Cathedral operational for generations to come. <div> </div>

Built from 1886-1889, the ornate Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament was, at the time of its construction, the largest cathedral west of the Mississippi--and though currently dwarfed by Sacramento’s downtown skyscrapers, at a towering 216 feet it was also the tallest structure in the city for a time. The cathedral was the brainchild of Catholic Bishop Patrick Manogue, who had previously mined gold in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains to pay for his church education. John Mackay, owner of the famed Comstock Lode silver mine in Nevada, was one of the cathedral’s key financiers. Built intentionally near the State Capitol, it has held inaugurations and funerals for mayors and governors through the decades. A recent $34 million restoration has reopened the iconic dome to the public again for the first time since the 1930s.

Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament

Sacramento’s Elks Lodge No. 6, was founded in 1877 but saw its charter rescinded two years later for “illegal and immoral activity.” The group reclaimed their charter three decades later in 1908. By 1922, booming membership made the Lodge’s facilities untenable, and it was determined that a new home would be built. In 1925, California-born architect Leonard F. Starks was commissioned to design the Elks Tower (often referred to as the Elks Temple), destined to be one of Sacramento’s first skyscrapers.The fourteen-story building, whose architectural motifs echo those of the Italian Renaissance, required 150 men to build. Ground was broken by the Order of Elks Exalted Ruler, John G. Price, using a golden shovel to turn the first spadeful of earth in January 1925. 5,000 yards of concrete and 165,250 bricks later, the elegant structure was completed in June 1926. Aside from a number of restaurants on the ground floor, the rest of the building was originally intended for use by the Elks Lodge No. 6. The distinctive skyscraper’s architect, Leonard F. Starks, later designed a number of important Sacramento structures, including its downtown post office and the Alhambra Theatre. The beloved Alhambra’s demolition in the early 1970s touched off a wave of preservation efforts whose success can be seen today in the large number of historic buildings still present in Sacramento’s downtown.Additional businesses slowly made their way into the building. In the late 1940s, the Top Of The Town Restaurant opened on the Tower’s fourteenth floor, where it would remain until the early 1970s. During the 1960s, KXRQ 98.5 radio had its station on the thirteenth floor, moving out when the Tower changed hands in 1973. The incorporation of these businesses may have been due to dwindling Lodge membership into the 1960s--and the corresponding loss of revenue that eventually forced the Elks to sell the building. Lacking the funds to comply with new city building codes in 1972, the Lodge sold the Tower to a real estate developer, who proceeded with a rapid renovation of the interior that erased much of the original decor.The building was purchased by steel magnate and real estate developer Steve Ayers in 2003, after three decades of neglect. Employing full-time “architect in residence” Peter Dannenfelser (whose offices also reside in the building), Ayers began to restore much of the Tower’s original interior flourishes. Since then, a number of businesses have flocked to the refurbished tower, including notable public relations firm Edelman and renowned seafood chain McCormick and Schmick’s. Most of the Elks Tower’s new tenants have cited its historic character as a decisive factor in their choice of venue.The top floor is now used as a rentable venue, known as the Elks Tower Event Center. As of 2017, developers hope to obtain permits to host a cardroom and casino within the historic building.&nbsp;

This historic Sacramento building became the tallest in the city when it was completed in 1926 at a cost of $1.5 million. The 242-foot structure was designed by local architect Leonard F. Starks who complied with the request of Elks Club members that their building surpass the height of the California State Capitol by five feet. With the completion of Elks Tower, several states and municipalities passed laws which stipulated that private construction projects could not exceed the height of government buildings. The structure’s Italian Renaissance styling makes Elks Tower a recognizable feature of the downtown skyline, even though the Order of Elks was forced to sell the iconic structure in the 1970s as their membership and influence declined. Some of the building's interior underwent a hasty remodel in that era, but current owners and tenants such as restaurants, offices, and lofts have supported a gradual restoration of the building's historic interiors. In addition to its architectural significance, Elks Tower reflects the influence of leading fraternal organizations and the construction boom of the late 1920s. 

Elks Tower, Sacramento 

After a huge fire swept through the City of Sacramento in 1852, local residents and public officials recognized an immediate need for an organized fire department with "a well-trained constellation of units" comprised of firefighters, equipment, and horses. In response, volunteer units such as the Young America Engine Company No. 6 were formed to fill this need. Organized by residents of Sacramento's third ward in June of 1855, Engine Company No. 6 officially took up residence on Tenth Street in 1858, when a new two-story, brick fire station and engine house were completed that year. The Young America Engine Company No. 6 continued to use this firehouse until 1972.At that time, the California State Legislature voted to create a professional fire department with paid firefighters based on the city's existing structure of volunteer units. With its firefighters now funded by the city, the Sacramento Fire Department became the first of its kind west of the Mississippi River. After the city began to fund the new Sacramento Fire Department in 1872, previous volunteer units such as the Young America Engine Company No. 6 were disbanded. Thereafter, the original Engine Company No. 6 Firehouse became the headquarters for one of the city' new professional units, Engine Company No. 2.Although this firehouse was eventually torn down in the 1920s, a large celebration was held in Plaza Park across the street from its original location to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the firehouse on January 1, 1933. The event honored all of the professional and volunteer firefighters who had worked at the "No. 6 Firehouse" since its dedication in 1858. Historic photographs and postcards in the Sacramento Public Library's Digital Collections offer descriptions of the celebration, stating: "The Young American Engine Company Number Six Firehouse ... commemorated seventy-five years of service in January of 1933 with a large party and a large cake. According to newspaper accounts of the event, held in what was then known as Plaza Park, the huge treat prepared for the festivities was rushed by children and park hangers-on, resulting in a flurry of frosting that flew in all directions."

This small historical marker at the pedestrian entrance to the city hall parking garage commemorates a former fire station constructed in 1858. Following the city's incorporation in 1849, the Sacramento Fire Department was established one year later as an all-volunteer department. Organized in 1855, the Young America Engine Company No. 6 was an all-volunteer unit of firefighters formed by residents of Sacramento's Third Ward. A firehouse for Engine Company No. 6 was constructed in 1858, with the cornerstone dedicated on the first day of that year. In 1872, the city launched its new Sacramento Paid Firefighting Department, and volunteer units were replaced by paid professional firefighters and this became a city fire station. Although the original firehouse is no longer standing, a historical marker was added to the site on January 1, 1933, marking the 75th Anniversary of the Young America Engine Company No. 6.

Young America Engine Company No. 6 Historical Marker

In the late 1800s, the beer industry was a major part of Sacramento's economy. The city was well-known for its locally-grown hops, and a number of breweries flourished there. Hops continued to be widely grown in and around Sacramento until Prohibition in the 1920s. Frank Ruhstaller immigrated to the United States from Swtizerland as a young man in 1862. He helped found and managed the Buffalo Brewing Company--at that time the largest brewery west of the Mississippi--and the Forum Investment Company. By the time he was 35, Ruhstaller was successful enough that he began his own brewery, Ruhstaller Brewing. To house his business ventures, he had the Ruhstaller Building built at the corner of 9th and J Streets. The building was one of the first in the city to use air conditioning. Prohibition ended Sacramento's beer producing heyday. For many years, the Ruhstaller Building housed offices and businesses. Recently, however, breweries are making a comeback in Sacramento. In 2011, entrepreneur J.E. Paino, who had long been fascinated by the building, bought the Ruhstaller brand and launched a new, Sacramento-produced beer called Ruhstaller 1881. Like its namesake's products, the new beer is produced with only locally grown hops. The Ruhstaller Building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

Frank Ruhstaller was a Swiss immigrant who came to Sacramento as a young man. In 1881, he founded the Ruhstaller Brewery, which became one of the city's leading breweries. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Ruhstaller Building 

Despite a relative state of national unity during wartime, the end of World War II brought little recognition for the tens of thousands of Mexican American veterans who had served in all branches of the military and in both theaters of the conflict. As demonstrated by the response of many whites to the “Zoot Suit Riots” of 1943, many Americans subscribed to a narrative that not only discounted the contributions of minority servicemen, but also denigrated Mexican Americans.In an effort to recognize their husbands and sons after war’s end, a group of Mexican American women formed an organization and began efforts to&nbsp;fund a memorial. Calling themselves “La Sociedad de Las Madres” (Society of Mothers), the Sacramento-based group began actively fundraising in 1948 and worked tirelessly for three years through community organizing, raffle sales, and even the selling of homemade tamales. At last, an appropriate marble statue was purchased from Italy for a sum of $4000 and dedicated on May 10, 1951--Mother’s Day in Mexico--outside Sacramento’s Mexican American Center. It was the first war memorial dedicated solely to Latino-Americans.Time took its toll on the statue, and in the early 1970s the Madres raised $10,000 once more to restore the aging memorial. Sacramento itself had begun to embrace a more outspoken Chicano identity, with a new mural and events like the Festival de Colores. The site of El Soldado was rezoned in 1990, however, and it was moved to its current site at the Capitol Mall--now to assume the additional mantle of the only Mexican American war memorial in the United States to be located on a state capitol’s grounds.By this time, the marble was severely weathered and the tip of the Soldado’s rifle had broken off. There was once again a clear need for restoration. Little outward progress was made until 2008, however, when a successful push was made by the nonprofit Mexican American Veterans Memorial Beautification and Enhancement Committee to enact state legislation allowing for the monument’s refurbishment and expansion. An initial estimate was made for a cost of $1.1 million, to be furnished through private donations--not taxpayer funds.At $800,000, El Soldado’s careful restoration was by far the most expensive component. Years of hard work eventually brought about the full sum of donations to complete the task and establish a new base and plaze for the venerable statue. The new base lists all Mexican American recipients of the Medal of Honor dating back to the Civil War.The restored work was rededicated for the fourth time in its history on October 11, 2017. The ceremony was delayed a month due to extreme heat, which had made the conditions of the surrounding sod unfavorable. Further donations are still required to tackle the final phase of the project, which will install more sidewalks and a “mother’s garden” to encircle the plaza.

The only monument in the nation honoring Mexican American soldiers that is located on the grounds of a state capital, “El Soldado” recognizes the service of nearly three hundred thousand Californians. The movement to create the memorial began as widows and mothers of Mexican American soldiers who were killed during World War II held meetings and raised funds for three years. Thanks to these efforts, this monument was dedicated in 1951 at the Sacramento Mexican American Center. The monument was refurbished in the 1970s  and moved to the California Capitol Mall in 1990. Restored again in 2017 thanks to volunteers, a new plinth includes the names of California’s Mexican American Medal of Honor recipients. Efforts to expand the memorial are currently underway.

"El Soldado" - California Mexican American Veterans Memorial

California’s Peace Officers have served since the state’s earliest days. Sheriff Joseph McKinney, considered to be the first officially designated California officer killed in the line of duty, died before the state was officially ratified by Congress in the Sacramento Squatters’ Riots of August 1850. Since then, the names of over 1,500 officers have been added to the list of the honored dead.In 1976, then-Governor Jerry Brown signed a law authorizing a committee of officers to fundraise for a Peace Officers’ memorial on the state capitol grounds. The memorial’s original form was a glass case containing two swords and a leather-bound book, in which were written all the names of California’s slain officers. In 1985, however, Governor Deukmejian encouraged legislation that would expand the memorial. A 9-member Peace Officers’ Commission was established to lead the effort, consisting of eight officers and one widow.On May 13, 1988, the new monument was unveiled to the public in a ceremony presided over by Governor Deukmejian. Designed and sculpted by retired Los Angeles County Sheriff Division Chief Vic Riesau, the new monument featured three 9-foot tall figures, each representing a different era in California law enforcement: a County Sheriff of the 1880s, a state traffic officer of the 1930s, and a city patrolman of the 1880s. Additionally, the sculpted, life-size figures of a mother and child are perched on a nearby bench, with a bronze American flag folded beside them.Surrounding the base of the statue are plaques containing the names of every Peace Officer whose life has been lost in the line of duty. A two-day ceremony is held each year on May 8, designated by state law as California Peace Officers’ Memorial Day (separate from the national Peace Officers’ Memorial Day on May 15, but still in close proximity to Police Week, which is designated as the week in which May 15 falls).

Three 9-foot tall bronze statues preside over this memorial to over 1,500 California Peace Officers who have fallen in the line of duty since statehood was achieved in 1850. The three figures on the memorial, which was dedicated in 1988, represent the different eras of law enforcement in California history, and were designed and sculpted by a retired County Sheriff Division Chief. Annual ceremonies are usually held at the site to commemorate the lives of officers lost each year.

California Peace Officers' Memorial

California State Capitol Park in Sacramento is home to numerous trees that have been planted for their cultural and symbolic value. The 40-acre park is considered one of the most beautiful State Capitol grounds in the United States. Significant tree species include Coast Redwoods (Sequoia Sempervirens), English Hawthorne (Crataegus laevigata), and Japanese Flowering Cherry (Prunus serrulata), among others, including twenty-two Italian Stone Pines (Pinus pinea) that were planted in the northeast section of the park in 1872. The name, Stone Pine, refers to the hard shell of the seeds, which are known in Italy as Pignoli (Pine Nuts). The seeds have been gathered and used for culinary purposes since the time of the Romans.Although the last of the 19th-century Italian Stone Pines had to be removed from the park in November 2012, another Pinus pinea that was planted in 1983 is still standing. A historical marker was placed beside it at the time of its planting. This tree, along with the "Pinus Pinea Historical Marker," honors the 50th Anniversary of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Founded in 1933, the CCC was part of the New Deal program established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to create jobs and boost the economy during the Great Depression. During its decade in existence, the men employed through the program planted over 3 billion trees on public lands and forests, while improving national and state parks through engineering and other projects.The CCC encountered blizzards, floods, hurricanes, and droughts, tackling soil erosion and other pressing environmental issues during the 1930s Dust Bowl era. The men were housed in military-style barracks and tent camps, at first with oversight from the U.S. Army, which sought to bring discipline to the civilian program. In exchange for three square meals a day and a bed, the men were expected to do demanding physical labor. It was considered a point of pride to be part of the CCC, particularly as exceptionally high unemployment afflicted the country during the Depression. The program ceased when the U.S. entered World War II, but by the time it ended in 1942, the CCC had employed more than 2.5 million men, many of whom were aged 18 to 25. U.S. involvement in World War II brought an end to the CCC, but the program had a lasting impact through trees planted and improvements made to public lands.

Located on the grounds of Sacramento's Capitol Park, this historical marker was erected next to an Italian Stone Pine tree (Pinus pinea) on April 14, 1983. The historical marker commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), which was in operation from 1933 to 1942. The CCC was part of the New Deal program established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to help lift the U.S. out of the Great Depression. It employed young men to improve public lands in national parks and forests, including the planting of 3 billion trees.

Pinus Pinea Historical Marker

The Capitol Museum is housed in the California State Capitol building, considered “the West's first great architectural monument.”1 This grand neoclassical structure was constructed between 1860 and 1974, signifying that California’s state capital would be, after years of debate, permanently housed in Sacramento. The state library and courts were moved to a new building in 1928, while the original Capitol building expanded in the mid-twentieth century to accommodate new offices. In the 1970s and 80s, the Capitol underwent what was then the “largest restoration ever completed in North America” to breathe life back into the deteriorating structure and ensure it would not collapse in an earthquake.2During the restoration, multiple rooms were set aside to interpret the State Legislature’s history to the public. Today, these rooms comprise the main exhibitions of the Capitol Museum. The offices of the Governor, Secretary of State, and Treasurer were specially restored to appear like time capsules, so that visitors could get a sense of what past state governance looked like. Two exhibit galleries were created to share the history of California, the city of Sacramento, and the State Legislature. The Capitol basement houses the Museum’s tour office, a theater, and gift shop. Special events throughout the year also exhibit part of the Museum’s collection of historic flags, which are fragile and require special care.The Capitol building itself also displays impressive art collections that evoke the history of California, including paintings, murals, sculptures, furniture, stained glass, mosaics, and tiling. The Capitol rotunda displays two murals painted in 1914-1915 by Arthur Mathews, who depicted scenes from California history such as the Mission Period, the Gold Rush, and Commodore Sloat entering Monterey Bay. Paintings depicting California’s beautiful landscapes, seascapes, and scenes of daily life are exhibited throughout the building. The Capitol’s west wing exhibits paintings from 1870 to 1910 along with the governors’ portraits, while the East Annex exhibits work from 1920 to 1950 and three large murals created by the Works Progress Administration in the 1930s. Leadership offices and conference rooms exhibit works of some of California’s most lauded artists, including Thomas Hill, William Keith, Raymond Dabb Yelland, and Edwin Deakin. The Capitol began actively collecting contemporary art in 1997 to show “that contemporary art is alive and well in California.”3 To capture the breadth of talent across the state, Senators select an artist to represent their district every other year.California’s past is also on display outdoors in Capitol Park, where 150 memorials, monuments, and other points of interest stand among the beautiful Victorian landscaping. The 40 acre park was established in 1860, the same year construction began on the Capitol building. The first memorial was dedicated in 1897 and consisted of saplings from more than 40 Civil War battlefields and sites, which set a precedent to establish “living memorials” at the Park. This tradition continues with the World Peace Garden, the rose bushes of the September 11 Memorial, and dozens of trees and gardens cultivated in honor of notable figures and moments in history. Works of art and architecture are nestled among the flora, honoring fallen soldiers and veterans of numerous wars, firefighters, and civil servants.Together, the California State Capitol, the Museum, and Capitol Park share the state’s history with the public.

The California State Capitol Museum interprets the history California, the city of Sacramento, and the State Legislature. Housed in the historic Capitol building, the Museum includes two exhibit galleries and restored offices of the Governor, Secretary of State, and Treasurer, along with a tour office that offers guided or self-guided tours, a theater that screens an introductory film, and a gift shop. Visitors can explore museum exhibits along with art, architecture, and legislative proceedings throughout the Capitol building and the memorials and monuments in Capitol Park.

California State Capitol Museum

In the 1800s California suffragists proposed several suffrage bills to the state legislature. They almost had success in 1893 when the legislature passed a suffrage bill, but the governor vetoed it. A popular referendum in 1896 also defeated women’s suffrage, largely due to voters fearing women would pass temperance laws. Suffrage organizations advocated for the vote until in 1911 another referendum narrowly passed and gave California women the vote. The vote held on October 10, 1911 initially looked as if the motion would be defeated, but as the count came in from rural counties the measure passed by only 3,587 votes. California became the 6th state to grant suffrage to women and in 1918 the first four women were elected to the California State Assembly. California ratified the 19th Amendment on November 1, 1919.

California Ratifies the 19th Amendment, November 1, 1919

In 1966, Carl Fowler collected seeds from a coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) near his home in Soquel, located in Santa Cruz County. Fowler then sent the seeds to the U.S. Forest Service's Institute of Forest Genetics (IFG), which received and cataloged them as accession "Lot X." Approximately five years later, in 1971 some five-hundred seeds from Lot X were transferred to Dr. Charles H. Walkinshaw at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, who was working on a special assignment at the Johnson Space Center in Houston.On behalf of NASA, Dr. Walkinshaw was overseeing the Space Center's Lunar Receiving Laboratory when he received the coast redwood seeds from Lot X, in addition to seeds from several other tree species, including Douglas fir, loblolly pine, sycamore, and sweetgum trees. In 1971, Lt. Cdr. Stuart Roosa, a U.S. Air Force Pilot and U.S. Forest Service "smokejumper" trained to fight wildfires, chose to take a selection of these seeds with him during the Apollo 14 mission, on which he embarked with fellow NASA astronauts Alan Shepard and Edgar Mitchell. In preparation for transport into space, the seeds were carefully packed in sealed containers. Launching from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on January 31, 1971, the Apollo 14 mission became the third crewed mission to land on the moon and to explore the lunar surface. Shepard and Mitchell walked on the moon, while Stuart Roosa orbited in the command module above. From January 31 until February 9, 1971, the seeds that he carried with him into space also orbited the moon a total of thirty-four times, as part of a joint project between NASA and the U.S. Forest Service.Yet upon returning to Earth, the seed container burst during the decontamination process. As a result, seeds from the different tree species became scrambled and were exposed to a vacuum. Fortunately, after inspection, most were found to have sustained virtually no damage during or after transport, pointing to their remarkable capacity for resiliency. They were sorted out, and the historic collection of seeds was returned to the U.S. Forest Service's Institute of Forest Genetics for cultivation into saplings. Under carefully monitored conditions, many of the seeds were able to thrive, emerging into saplings that became known as "Moon Trees." A special celebration for the Moon Trees followed, in conjunction with state foresters from forty states where the saplings were sent to be planted. Dedication ceremonies were held at various locations, including on the grounds of the California State Capitol Park in Sacramento, where a redwood sapling was planted next to the Capitol Building. According to a 1976 news story, each Moon Tree was intended to represent the dual themes of "Horizons and Heritage." In addition to commemorating a successful space mission, the Moon Trees were also planted in honor of the U.S. Bicentennial in 1976, and some were given as gifts to other nations.

Located on the grounds at California State Capitol Park, the "Moon Tree" is a California redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) that was grown from one of hundreds of seeds which orbited the moon during the Apollo 14 mission in 1971. The seeds were taken into space in order to study the effect of prolonged weightlessness on seed germination and sapling growth. Afterwards, the seeds were cultivated by the U.S. Forestry Service Genetics Laboratory. In the mid-1970s, the saplings were planted at various locations around the country, with this particular "Moon Tree" taking root in Sacramento on the grounds of California State Capitol Park.

"Moon Tree" at California State Capitol Park

In the mid-19th century, the Sisters of Mercy arrived in Sacramento, where they began their mission of tending to the sick and providing schooling for the children of miners during the California Gold Rush. Initially, the Sisters of Mercy purchased land in the middle of the city to establish a Catholic school. In 1860, a “Capitol Bill” was passed which resulted in the sale of the land to the State of California, selling for its original price of $4,850. The land on which the school has been located was converted into the California State Capitol Park.A monument and historical marker installed at the site in 1986 commemorate the arrival of the Sisters of Mercy in Sacramento, stating that the nuns “contributed to the history and progress of the State of California.” The order was founded by Catherine McAuley in 1827 in Dublin, Ireland. She opened a House of Mercy on lower Baggot Street as a place to shelter and educate women and girls. Due to the success of her efforts, she was advised by the Archbishop of Dublin to establish a religious congregation.As a result, McAuley and two of her companions became the first Sisters of Mercy in 1831, and they went on to establish fourteen independent Mercy Foundations throughout Ireland and England. In 1846, the Sisters of Mercy arrived in the United States for the first time at the invitation of the Bishop of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. They also settled in New York City, Chicago, and Little Rock, Arkansas, as well as San Francisco and Sacramento, establishing hospitals and schools in each location. Although the order has faced criticism, many of the facilities that they established continue to provide social services.

This monument and historical marker were installed in 1986 on the grounds of the California State Capitol Park to commemorate the Sisters of Mercy, an order of Catholic nuns who arrived in Sacramento in 1857 during the California Gold Rush. As missionaries, they served those who were sick, homeless, or children of miners. The Sisters established a Catholic school in the heart of the city and a health care ministry that later evolved to become the Mater Misericordiae Hospital (Mother of Mercy Hospital), their first hospital in Sacramento. An additional wing was added in 1951, and the facility is now known as the Mercy General Hospital.

Sisters of Mercy Monument and Historical Marker

Father Junipero Serra arrived in California in 1768, when California was a Spanish colony. Serra was head of the Franciscan Order's efforts to establish missions in the area, which was motivated as much by political factors as by religion. With the establishment of missions, Spain hoped to Christianize the native population and also prevent other nations from exploring and establishing a foothold in the region. The first mission founded by Father Serra was at San Diego in 1769. Over the course of his life, Serra established eight other missions in California: Monterey/Carmel; San Antonio and San Gabriel; San Luis Obispo; San Francisco and San Juan Capistrano; Santa Clara; and San Buenaventura. Serra is often lauded for his stamina and prodigious work ethic. He was not a young man when he arrived in the New World&nbsp;and was plagued by asthma and an injury to his leg that troubled him for the rest of his life.&nbsp; Although Serra is praised by many for his work in bringing Catholicism to California and for the civilizing influence of Serra and his fellow priests, he is also a source of controversy. The Christianization of the area was part of a destructive colonization process. In the space of no more than two or three generations, it's estimated that European diseases killed perhaps 100,000 Native Americans. Additionally, overcrowding, strenuous labor, and brutal punishments made life within the missions extraordinarily dangerous for Native Americans, and most had a life expectancy in the missions of only a few years. While some Californians revere Father Serra, others see him as an oppressor. Father Serra was canonized by Pope Francis during his first visit to the United States in 2015. The decision was met with criticism by many with Native American ancestry, and in the wake of Pope Francis's decision, &nbsp;several statues of Serra were vandalized.&nbsp;

Located on the grounds of the State Capitol Park, a statue and plaque honor the life and work of Father Junipero Serra. Though not without controversy, Serra is indisputably a central figure in California's history, credited with bringing Catholicism to California through the establishment of the Franciscan mission system and extending Spanish rule into "Alta California" in the late 1700s. The Christianizing and Europeanization of native tribes throughout California, however, led to their decimation through cultural suppressions and the deaths of hundreds of thousands by disease and warfare over the next century.

Father Junipero Serra Statue and Historic Marker 

Located on the grounds of California State Capitol Park in Sacramento, the California State Insectary Building was designed in 1907 by George Sellon, California's first State Architect. Sellon designed the building in the Arts &amp; Crafts style that was popular in the early 20th century, particularly in California. He also designed the Sacramento Hospital Building and the Citizen Hotel, along with other notable buildings throughout the state. In 1909, Sellon founded the architectural design and engineering firm, Lionakis. More than a century later, the company continues oversee the planning, design, engineering, and sustainability of civic, commercial, and corporate projects in Sacramento and beyond.The California State Insectary was one of the first Insectariums in the U.S. and the world. Known colloquially as California's State "Bug House," the Insectary was built within the capital city of Sacramento after the 1906 earthquake and fire struck the City of San Francisco. From 1908 to 1923, the Insectary's scientists and staff managed the collection, breeding, storage, and distribution of beneficial insects, which are considered important for the pollination of agricultural crops. In addition to pollinating plants, beneficial insects also help to naturally control the spread of unwanted agricultural pests, such as other types of insects that are harmful for fruit and vegetable cultivation. Beneficial insects were considered essential for farming, prior to the use of chemical insecticides by the state's agricultural industry during the 1930s and 1940s. The widespread use of chemical insecticides, such as DDT, during the post-World War II era was later shown to cause numerous problems and adverse health effects for people, animals, and ecosystems. The negative environmental impacts of these chemical insecticides damaged ecological food chains and living organisms for decades, as exposed by Rachel Carson's 1962 environmental science book, Silent Spring, and by other scientific research. Consequently, the value of organic methods, such as using beneficial insects to naturally control unwanted pests and pollinate crops (methods that pre-dated the use of chemical insecticides) was once again taken seriously.In the mid-1920s, the beneficial insect collection and breeding program at the California State Insectary was relocated to the Citrus Experiment Station and Graduate School of Subtropical Agriculture at the University of California at Riverside. The original Insectary Building continued to host some programs until 1938, at which time it was converted into a maintenance facility for Capitol Park. The building underwent a restoration to address structural issues, such as replacing rotted wooden beams, while preserving the original Arts &amp; Crafts design. The half-timbered exterior and stucco finish are associated with the Prairie Style championed by Frank Lloyd Wright, blended with Japanese architectural influences. The interior still features a courtyard skylight, atrium, and display cases from the original Entomology Museum located on site.

From 1908 to 1923, the California State Insectary supported the agricultural industry in California by providing farmers with beneficial insects to pollinate their crops. Prior to the widespread use of chemical insecticides such as DDT in the 1930s and 1940s, farmers relied on beneficial insects for crop pollination and as a natural approach to help keep unwanted agricultural pests at bay. The significance of beneficial insects (and other organic methods) is once again recognized today, following numerous documented problems and adverse health effects for people, animals, and ecosystems caused by the widespread use of chemical insecticides in the mid-20th century. The California State Insectary Building was designed in the Arts &amp; Crafts style and is located on the grounds of California State Capitol Park, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

California State Insectary Building and Historical Marker

The World Peace Rose Garden is located within the 40-acre California State Capitol Park in downtown Sacramento. A decorative fountain is the centerpiece of the Victorian-style garden, with axial paths that extend outward from the center. Throughout the site, bronze plaques contain inspirational messages written by schoolchildren on the theme of world peace. In the southeast section of the garden, the All-American Rose Selections are on display for visitors to enjoy. These rose varieties are cultivated for characteristics such as scent, color, and hardiness. Visitors to the garden can preview the new varieties before they have been released and made available to the wider public. The World Peace Rose Garden is one of only a few gardens to exhibit the All-American Rose Selections in advance, and it is considered a high honor.The non-profit organization, International World Peace Rose Gardens (IWPRG), was founded in Sacramento in 1988 by Sylvia Villalobos. Its mission is "to promote peace and harmony in the world through the creation of thoughtfully designed rose gardens that become centers of community action." Since the late 1980s, World Peace Rose Gardens have been established at various historic sites, including the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park in Atlanta, Georgia, where the "I Have A Dream" World Peace Rose Garden symbolizes peace through nonviolence. The Jinan-Sacramento Sister City World Peace Rose Garden in China replicates the rose garden from the California State Capitol Park, while incorporating elements of classical Chinese gardens and symbolizing peace for women, children and families. The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City contains a World Peace Rose Garden intended to represent friendship and diplomacy between the U.S. and Mexico.Additionally, the International World Peace Rose Gardens organization fosters peace-building activities throughout the year, including art programs such as Flower Pots for Friendship, as well as community initiatives such as Freeze for Peace. Participants around the world are invited to pause what they are doing and "freeze for peace," taking a quiet moment to reflect on the ideal of world peace, while holding in mind a compassionate thought that contributes to this goal. This event is held each year on September 21st to correspond with the annual International Day of Peace, which is sponsored by the United Nations. Afterwards, short videos of the event are shared online to encourage people of all ages around the world to nurture the ideal of peace through community action.

Dedicated in 2003, the World Peace Rose Garden was created at the site of an existing rose garden to symbolize peace between nations, cultures, and religions. Located within the 40-acre California State Capitol Park, this Victorian-style garden contains over 650 roses representing more than 150 different varieties. In one section of the garden, near the Vietnam Memorial, the rose varieties have been given names that commemorate U.S. veterans of war and medals of honor. Near the garden's northeast corner, the Peace Pavilion provides space for public ceremonies and civic events. In 1986, the flower commonly known as the rose was designated as the national floral emblem and official flower of the United States.

Sacramento Convention Center and Capitol Complex Walking Tour

Hotel Senator

Introduction

Images

Backstory and Context

Sources