Sutter’s Fort is certainly no mining town but it holds a strong tie to the great California Gold Rush. The fort was built in 1839 as a trade colony in what was then Mexican territory.
In 1847 the survivors of the ill fated Donner Party were rescued by men from the fort and many returned to the fort including Patty Reed who’s doll is on display there.
Sutter began construction on a nearby sawmill with his business partner James Marshall. Marshall kicked off the great California Gold Rush with his discovery of gold at the mill site in 1848. Marshall brought the newly found nuggets to Sutter’s Fort to show his then business partner. The fort was abandoned and fell into disrepair. In 1891 the fort was reconstructed as a state park.
Another fond childhood memory, I visited the fort at a very young age and have since returned to the fort with my family.
