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Old Sacramento State Historic Park is a cluster of noteworthy, early Gold Rush commercial structures. Historic buildings include the 1849 Eagle Theater; the 1853 B. F. Hastings Building, once home to the California Supreme Court; and the 1855 Big Four Building. Old Sacramento's historical significance comes from it being the western terminus of the Pony Express postal system, the first transcontinental railroad, and the transcontinental telegraph.
Old Sacramento is a California Historical Landmark. The National Park Service named the entire original historic 1850s business district of Old Sacramento a National Historic Landmark in 1965. With over 50 historic buildings, Old Sacramento has more buildings of historic value in its 28 acres than any area of similar size in the West.
Getting There
Old Sacramento State Historic Park is located in downtown Sacramento and is convenient to reach by all freeways. Coming from any direction in the state, take Interstate 5 to the "J Street" exit and follow the signs into park. Abundant covered parking is available at the main parking structure located at 3rd and J Streets. There are a limited number of metered, 90-minute on-street parking spaces throughout the park.
Old Sacramento State Historic Park is located in downtown Sacramento and is convenient to reach by all freeways. Coming from any direction in the state, take Interstate 5 to the "J Street" exit and follow the signs into park. Abundant covered parking is available at the main parking structure located at 3rd and J Streets. There are a limited number of metered, 90-minute on-street parking spaces throughout the park.
The Buildings
B.F. Hastings Building
This 1853 structure housed the owner’s bank, Hastings & Company, and Wells, Fargo & Company. The building also served as the western terminus for the Pony Express. California’s Supreme Court held session here between 1855 and 1869. Today the building houses the Old Sacramento Visitor Center and the Wells Fargo History Museum.
Tehama Block
From 1850 to 1851, this reconstructed Greek Revival building housed numerous business ventures.
Eagle Theatre
The Eagle Theatre is a reconstruction of the first building in California specifically designed as a theatre. Built in October 1849 of wood frame and canvas with a tin roof, the theatre provided entertainment for three months before flooding on January 4, 1850.
C. M. & T. Co. Building
This reconstructed 1849 building was originally home to the Connecticut Mining & Trading Company, an auction and commission business, and general merchandise firms.
Big Four Building
Housing the Stanford Brothers Warehouse and the Huntington & Hopkins Hardware Store from the late 1850s into the 1880s, this building was also the first headquarters of the Central Pacific Railroad.
First floor: The replica mid-nineteenth century Huntington & Hopkins Hardware Store is open Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and also during special events.
Second floor: The Railroad Museum Library, North America’s finest railroad-only reference library, is open Tuesday through Saturday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Dingley Spice Mill Building
After arriving in San Francisco in February 1850, Nathaniel Dingley settled in Sacramento to operate a coffee and spice business. Constructed following Sacramento’s disastrous 1852 fire, the Dingley Spice Mill is restored to its circa-1860 appearance.
Central Pacific Railroad Passenger Station
The station is a reconstruction of the western terminus of America’s first transcontinental railroad circa 1876. It is complete with ticket office, telegraph office, main waiting room and a separate waiting room for ladies and children only. Open daily for tours (entry included with Railroad Museum admission).
Central Pacific Railroad Freight Depot
The museum’s steam-powered excursion trains arrive and depart from this reconstructed late 1800s transcontinental railroad freight station. Departures are Saturday and Sunday, April through September, hourly 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Special holiday “theme” trains depart on selected weekends October through December (separate ticket required).
B.F. Hastings Building
This 1853 structure housed the owner’s bank, Hastings & Company, and Wells, Fargo & Company. The building also served as the western terminus for the Pony Express. California’s Supreme Court held session here between 1855 and 1869. Today the building houses the Old Sacramento Visitor Center and the Wells Fargo History Museum.
Tehama Block
From 1850 to 1851, this reconstructed Greek Revival building housed numerous business ventures.
Eagle Theatre
The Eagle Theatre is a reconstruction of the first building in California specifically designed as a theatre. Built in October 1849 of wood frame and canvas with a tin roof, the theatre provided entertainment for three months before flooding on January 4, 1850.
C. M. & T. Co. Building
This reconstructed 1849 building was originally home to the Connecticut Mining & Trading Company, an auction and commission business, and general merchandise firms.
Big Four Building
Housing the Stanford Brothers Warehouse and the Huntington & Hopkins Hardware Store from the late 1850s into the 1880s, this building was also the first headquarters of the Central Pacific Railroad.
First floor: The replica mid-nineteenth century Huntington & Hopkins Hardware Store is open Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and also during special events.
Second floor: The Railroad Museum Library, North America’s finest railroad-only reference library, is open Tuesday through Saturday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Dingley Spice Mill Building
After arriving in San Francisco in February 1850, Nathaniel Dingley settled in Sacramento to operate a coffee and spice business. Constructed following Sacramento’s disastrous 1852 fire, the Dingley Spice Mill is restored to its circa-1860 appearance.
Central Pacific Railroad Passenger Station
The station is a reconstruction of the western terminus of America’s first transcontinental railroad circa 1876. It is complete with ticket office, telegraph office, main waiting room and a separate waiting room for ladies and children only. Open daily for tours (entry included with Railroad Museum admission).
Central Pacific Railroad Freight Depot
The museum’s steam-powered excursion trains arrive and depart from this reconstructed late 1800s transcontinental railroad freight station. Departures are Saturday and Sunday, April through September, hourly 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Special holiday “theme” trains depart on selected weekends October through December (separate ticket required).
Contact Information
Telephone: 916-445-7387
Telephone: 916-445-7387
History
The fascinating history of Old Sacramento begins with the California gold rush. News of the 1848 discovery of gold in nearby Coloma (site of Sutter’s Mill and today home to Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park) traveled quickly around the world, drawing thousands of people to the Sierra Nevada foothills.
Originally part of the New Helvetia land grant of Captain John Sutter, Sacramento sits at the confluence of the Sacramento and American Rivers. The commercial center of the California gold rush, Sacramento became a crossroads of transportation, connected by steamboats to San Francisco, by supply roads to mining regions, and to Folsom by the first railroad in the west. Despite floods, fires and epidemics, Sacramento became California’s capital in 1854. The center of the commercial district gradually moved east, and the Sacramento riverfront became a slum.
In the mid-1960s, a redevelopment plan took shape. Today, with 53 historic commercial structures sited on 28 acres, Old Sacramento is a National Historic Landmark. California State Parks owns and operates a number of original and reconstructed buildings, mostly accessible, as part of Old Sacramento State Historic Park.
The fascinating history of Old Sacramento begins with the California gold rush. News of the 1848 discovery of gold in nearby Coloma (site of Sutter’s Mill and today home to Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park) traveled quickly around the world, drawing thousands of people to the Sierra Nevada foothills.
Originally part of the New Helvetia land grant of Captain John Sutter, Sacramento sits at the confluence of the Sacramento and American Rivers. The commercial center of the California gold rush, Sacramento became a crossroads of transportation, connected by steamboats to San Francisco, by supply roads to mining regions, and to Folsom by the first railroad in the west. Despite floods, fires and epidemics, Sacramento became California’s capital in 1854. The center of the commercial district gradually moved east, and the Sacramento riverfront became a slum.
In the mid-1960s, a redevelopment plan took shape. Today, with 53 historic commercial structures sited on 28 acres, Old Sacramento is a National Historic Landmark. California State Parks owns and operates a number of original and reconstructed buildings, mostly accessible, as part of Old Sacramento State Historic Park.
Accessible Features
Picnic Area
A few accessibly designed picnic tables and trash barrels are available under the shade of a Sycamore tree near the north end of the Passenger Depot. The route of travel is generally accessible.
Exhibits/Programs
California State Railroad Museum: The museum entry and exhibits, including some historical railroad cars, are accessible. Interior ramps are generally accessible. Elevator access to upper two floors is generally accessible. Restrooms are generally accessible.
Huntington Hopkins Hardware Store: Aisle space is usable. Staff is available to provide assistance if needed. Restrooms in the Railroad Museum or outside the Passenger Depot are generally accessible.
Stanford Gallery: The building is generally accessible on the first level. Restrooms in Railroad Museum or outside Passenger Depot are generally accessible.
Conference room, exhibit room, museum library. These second floor rooms are reachable by steep stairs that may require assistance or by arrangement for alternative elevator entry. Restrooms in Railroad Museum are generally accessible.
Passenger Depot Building Visitors using wheelchairs can view the trains from the waiting room platform. Panel exhibits are generally accessible. Exterior restroom. This unisex restroom is generally accessible.
Other Information
Parking: Two parking lots serve Old Sacramento, and both include accessible parking. A large city lot is on 2nd and I streets, opposite the side of the California State Railroad Museum. A private lot is housed in the 3-story brick structure on Capitol Ave just before the Tower Bridge. The city has added some accessible angle parking on Front Street at several locations.
Concessions: Many restaurants and shops along the boardwalks may be accessible to various degrees.
For more information on accessibility, please call 916-445-7387.
Picnic Area
A few accessibly designed picnic tables and trash barrels are available under the shade of a Sycamore tree near the north end of the Passenger Depot. The route of travel is generally accessible.
Exhibits/Programs
California State Railroad Museum: The museum entry and exhibits, including some historical railroad cars, are accessible. Interior ramps are generally accessible. Elevator access to upper two floors is generally accessible. Restrooms are generally accessible.
Huntington Hopkins Hardware Store: Aisle space is usable. Staff is available to provide assistance if needed. Restrooms in the Railroad Museum or outside the Passenger Depot are generally accessible.
Stanford Gallery: The building is generally accessible on the first level. Restrooms in Railroad Museum or outside Passenger Depot are generally accessible.
Conference room, exhibit room, museum library. These second floor rooms are reachable by steep stairs that may require assistance or by arrangement for alternative elevator entry. Restrooms in Railroad Museum are generally accessible.
Passenger Depot Building Visitors using wheelchairs can view the trains from the waiting room platform. Panel exhibits are generally accessible. Exterior restroom. This unisex restroom is generally accessible.
Other Information
Parking: Two parking lots serve Old Sacramento, and both include accessible parking. A large city lot is on 2nd and I streets, opposite the side of the California State Railroad Museum. A private lot is housed in the 3-story brick structure on Capitol Ave just before the Tower Bridge. The city has added some accessible angle parking on Front Street at several locations.
Concessions: Many restaurants and shops along the boardwalks may be accessible to various degrees.
For more information on accessibility, please call 916-445-7387.
Community Trips
