Sacramento County History in Transition

​For well over 10,000+ years archeological records show Indigenous records of human civilization in and around the confluence of today's Sacramento and American Rivers.

With the discovery of gold in California in 1848, the Sacramento region became a national and international focus of attention, drawing a mass migration of gold seekers, miners and pioneers to the area.

Sacramento County was incorporated in 1850 in response to the needs of a growing population.

The County is one of the original 27 counties of California​. Its largest city, the City of Sacramento, became the capital of the State of California in 1854. Sacramento also serves as the County seat. The County Charter​ was established in 1933 and still in use today. Members of the Board of Supervisors adopted the County Seal in January 19​61.

The people of the Sacramento County region have long been innovative and energetic in their approach to building the community and advancing commerce. During the Gold Rush era, Sacramento served as a center for commerce and agriculture, as well as a major supply distribution point. The area was a terminus for wagon trains, riverboats, and stagecoaches.

The Sacramento Valley Railroad, first in the West, was originally designed from the City of Sacramento to Negro Bar, Sacramento County in 1854. Construction of the Central Pacific Railroad began in Sacramento and continued east to join the Union Pacific line in Utah in May 1869, forming the first transcontinental railroad and opening a major transportation route that would link the United States from the east and west.

Communications also opened up with the arrival of the Pony Express and introduction of the telegraph utilizing Morse Code perfected during the US Civil War. By the early 1900’s, the use of automobiles was growing rapidly, and along with it came the construction of roads and bridges. Another major link between the east and west coasts, the Lincoln Highway, ran through Sacramento County.

By the end of World War I, the area housed an airfield and pilot training school. Bi-wing airplanes were being built in northern Sacramento.
After the war, many of the planes were converted to civilian use. From that time on, aviation has grown to become a vital part of the region’s development.

Today the County is home to the Sacramento County Airport System, with includes the Sacramento International Airport. Several military installations were located in the region during the 1900’s. While the bases have closed, two former military locations, Mather and McClellan, have now become active business centers within the County.

September 2021 President Biden aboard Air Force One landed at Mather Field, showcasing the strategic command of California Office of Emergency Services and California National Guard Headquartered here in Sacramento County.

Sacramento County is home to seven cities. Each city is shown below with the year of incorporation.

Sacramento - 1849
Folsom - 1946
Isleton - 1923
Galt - 1946
Citrus Heights - 1997
Elk Grove - 2000
Rancho Cordova - 2003

Sacramento County today hosts a diverse employment sector. Government remains a major employer, with federal, state, and local offices in the region. The State Capitol houses the executive and legislative branches of the California government. Other large employment sectors include education, information technology, health services, leisure and hospitality, and transportation.

Equity and Inclusion in our very diverse region may be seen as an strategic asset or racism will continue as a public health crisis.

Adapted from Sacramento County