provided by
Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park is a reconstructed house museum on the site of Sacramento’s earliest settlement and the first non-Indian settlement in California’s Central Valley.
In 1839 a Swiss immigrant named John Sutter received a land grant in the Sacramento Valley from the Mexican government. He used the land to create a flourishing agricultural empire and named it New Helvetia (New Switzerland.) This empire established Sacramento's earliest settlement and the first non-Indian settlement in California's Central Valley.
In 1847 Sutter sent aid to the Donner Party, a group of immigrants trapped in a winter storm in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Word spread and Sutter became known for his hospitality and for providing temporary refuge to travelers. This reputation made New Helvetia the destination for early immigrants to California.
Less than a decade after they were established, Sutter's properties were overrun by gold seekers and the fort is all that remains of New Helvetia. It has been restored to its former state based on an 1847 map published in Darmstadt, Germany and is open daily for tours.
A self-guided audio tour is available.
Special events are scheduled throughout the year.
Sutter's Fort Trade Store provides a large variety of authentic gifts and publications relating to California history including the Overland Trail and Gold Rush. The store is non-profit and operated by the Friends of Sutter's Fort Association in cooperation with the California State Parks.
Getting There
The park is located in midtown Sacramento between K and L Streets and 26th and 28th Streets.
Traveling on I-80, from San Francisco, take Business 80/Hwy 50 east. Take the Business 80 exit (north towards Reno) to the N Street turn off. Travel straight on 30th Street then turn left under the freeway at L Street to the Fort which will be located on your right.
Monday - Saturday, bring quarters for the parking meters. Parking is free on Sundays.
The park is located in midtown Sacramento between K and L Streets and 26th and 28th Streets.
Traveling on I-80, from San Francisco, take Business 80/Hwy 50 east. Take the Business 80 exit (north towards Reno) to the N Street turn off. Travel straight on 30th Street then turn left under the freeway at L Street to the Fort which will be located on your right.
Monday - Saturday, bring quarters for the parking meters. Parking is free on Sundays.
Seasons/Climate/Recommended Clothing
Summer and spring are warm; fall and winter can be cool. Layered clothing is advised.
Summer and spring are warm; fall and winter can be cool. Layered clothing is advised.
Operating Hours & Contact
The park is open daily, from 10am until 5pm.
Telephone: 916-445-4422
The park is open daily, from 10am until 5pm.
Telephone: 916-445-4422
Admission Fees
Adults $5 (18 years and older)
Youth $3 (ages 6 to 17)
Children Free (5 and under)
Please Note: Admission fees may increase during special program days
Adults $5 (18 years and older)
Youth $3 (ages 6 to 17)
Children Free (5 and under)
Please Note: Admission fees may increase during special program days
Fort History
The "Fort" built by Swiss immigrant John Sutter more than 150 years ago was not only located at a pivotal point in California. It was a pivotal point in history. This combination of big dreams, bold adventures and reality all manifest themselves at Sutter's Fort State Historic Park and help bring California history to life.
John Augustus Sutter was born in Europe to Swiss-German parents in 1803. After several financial reverses, like millions of others in Europe during the time, Sutter set out to make his fortune in America. After a series of adventures that ranged from Missouri and Santa Fe to Hawaii and Alaska, Sutter finally made it to California and arrived in Sacramento in the late fall of 1839.
In Sacramento, he built what came to be known as Sutter's Fort -- with walls that were 2 1/2 feet thick and 15 to 18 feet high -- and developed what he considered to be the real wealth of California -- crops such as grapes and wheat, along with vast herds of cattle. Aligning himself with the Mexican authorities, at one point, with his various land grants, Sutter owned more than 150,000 acres of the Central Valley, and was a generous host to such colorful and historically important characters as John C. Fremont and Kit Carson,
In 1848, James Marshall, a carpenter working for Sutter, discovered gold at the sawmill Sutter was having built in Coloma, on the American River. Before the mill could be finished, word of the discovery was out. Sutter's workers deserted the Fort for the goldfields seeking their fortunes. By the 1850s, all that was left of Sutter's Fort was the central building.
The Native Sons of the Golden West were influential in the restoration of the Fort which began in 1891 and was completed in 1893. Donated to the State of California, Sutter's Fort became a part of the California State Park System in 1947. Sutter's Fort stands as the oldest restored Fort in the United States.
Today, the Fort is furnished and reconstructed to reflect its 1846 appearance. Many activities and programs recreate the past thanks to the volunteers who give their time to share their love of California History.
The "Fort" built by Swiss immigrant John Sutter more than 150 years ago was not only located at a pivotal point in California. It was a pivotal point in history. This combination of big dreams, bold adventures and reality all manifest themselves at Sutter's Fort State Historic Park and help bring California history to life.
John Augustus Sutter was born in Europe to Swiss-German parents in 1803. After several financial reverses, like millions of others in Europe during the time, Sutter set out to make his fortune in America. After a series of adventures that ranged from Missouri and Santa Fe to Hawaii and Alaska, Sutter finally made it to California and arrived in Sacramento in the late fall of 1839.
In Sacramento, he built what came to be known as Sutter's Fort -- with walls that were 2 1/2 feet thick and 15 to 18 feet high -- and developed what he considered to be the real wealth of California -- crops such as grapes and wheat, along with vast herds of cattle. Aligning himself with the Mexican authorities, at one point, with his various land grants, Sutter owned more than 150,000 acres of the Central Valley, and was a generous host to such colorful and historically important characters as John C. Fremont and Kit Carson,
In 1848, James Marshall, a carpenter working for Sutter, discovered gold at the sawmill Sutter was having built in Coloma, on the American River. Before the mill could be finished, word of the discovery was out. Sutter's workers deserted the Fort for the goldfields seeking their fortunes. By the 1850s, all that was left of Sutter's Fort was the central building.
The Native Sons of the Golden West were influential in the restoration of the Fort which began in 1891 and was completed in 1893. Donated to the State of California, Sutter's Fort became a part of the California State Park System in 1947. Sutter's Fort stands as the oldest restored Fort in the United States.
Today, the Fort is furnished and reconstructed to reflect its 1846 appearance. Many activities and programs recreate the past thanks to the volunteers who give their time to share their love of California History.
Accessible Features
The firm earthen paths through the Fort are generally accessible in fair weather. Assistance may be required with length or slope of paths of travel from street parking to the Fort entry. Several interior ramps and mini-ramps into rooms have been added to improve accessibility. Historic doorways and stairs may limit some access. The paths of travel from the street and within the Fort are generally accessible.
Restrooms: The unisex restroom inside the Fort is generally accessible. Call the park for more information.
Be the first to add a trip in this destination!The firm earthen paths through the Fort are generally accessible in fair weather. Assistance may be required with length or slope of paths of travel from street parking to the Fort entry. Several interior ramps and mini-ramps into rooms have been added to improve accessibility. Historic doorways and stairs may limit some access. The paths of travel from the street and within the Fort are generally accessible.
Restrooms: The unisex restroom inside the Fort is generally accessible. Call the park for more information.
Nearby Community Trips
River City District Scouts out for a walk.
Traffic Circles are Hella Fun! See how many laps you can do till you get dizzy!
