Sac History Happenings

Born: July 31, 1944

Known for: A native Sacramentan, Richard Rodriguez is an award-winning essayist and author.

Background: Rodriguez, a Mexican American, grew up in east Sacramento. His family was among the first Latinos to move into the middle-class, white neighborhood. His father worked in a shop that made false teeth. His mother also worked, ultimately as a typist in Gov. Edmund G. "Pat" Brown's office. He used his painful memories about his youthful assimilation in his 1982 autobiography, "Hunger of Memory: The Education of Richard Rodriguez." He received a bachelor's degree from Stanford University and a master's degree from Columbia University. A contributing editor at New America Media in San Francisco, he was a regular essayist on PBS' "MacNeil/Lehrer News Hour." His other books include "Mexico's Children," "Days of Obligation: An Argument With My Mexican Father," which was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize, and "Brown: The Last Discovery of America." His works have also appeared in numerous magazines.

A highlight: Among his awards, Rodriguez received a 1997 George Foster Peabody Award for his "News Hour" essays on American life.

In History's Spotlight profiles of Sacramento newsmakers were published originally in 2007 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of The Sacramento Bee. They were written by Anthony Sorci. Look for them every Sunday in Sac History Happenings.

The North and Middle Forks of the American River are a natural resource that has undergone great changes beginning with the 1849 Gold Rush. This transformation is documented in dozens of historic photos of bridges, dams, trains, trestles, mining and recreation collected in American River Canyon, a new Arcadia Images of America volume.

Local historians Rodi Lee and Michael G. Lynch accumulated over 1,200 archival images in researching the book. They used photographs from the State Library, UC Berkeley Bancroft Library, Placer County Archives and the Historical Society, and numerous federal and state agencies.

American River Canyon (Images of America), 127 pages, $21.99.

Arcadia Publishing is known for producing small, beautifully illustrated books on local and regional history. It typically partners with local historians and organizations in developing its publications, which now number nearly 7,500 titles celebrating communities all across the country.

The California Historical Society has released a free e-book for iPads on San Francisco's Golden State Bridge, which celebrates its 75th anniversay this weekend.

The multi-media book, titled "A Wild Flight of the Imagination: The Story of the Golden Gate Bridge," features more than 350 historical photographs, artwork, memorabilia and stories.

You can download the document from the California Historical Society's website or get it free as an app from the iTunes store.

-- Sam McManis

See a mid-century modern gem during a special home tour, hosted by Sacramento Modern.

On June 2, the Roush residence - one of Sacramento's most original and unusual homes - will be open to the public. Built in 1954 in Arden Oaks, the house was designed by Terry Waters, who studied and worked with Frank Lloyd Wright, John Launter and Walter S. White.

Robert Roush, the home's original owner, founded Roush Bakery Products, best known for its Hillbilly bread.

Tickets for the home tour are $45 and must be ordered in advance. Deadline is May 31. To keep the tour from overwhelming the home, tickets will be assigned in time blocks from 1 to 5 p.m. To order, click on http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/244435

Half the proceeds will go towards an upcoming California Museum exhibit showcasing the work of Sacramento native Ray Eames, among the most influential modernists.

Led by local architects and designers, the SacMod home tour includes appetizers and beverages, music, a commemorative booklet, vintage displays and photographs of the home. A restored 1956 Nash Ambassador Custom will be parked in the carport.

For more on SacMod and the home tour, visit http://sacmcmhometour.blogspot.com/.

-- Debbie Arrington

To get in the spirit of this weekend's 39th annual Sacramento Music Festival in Old Sacramento, the California State Railroad Museum will provide its own live music inside the building.

A variety of banjo groups will perform in the Roundhouse on Friday (1 to 4 p.m.) and Saturday thru Monday (11 to 4 p.m.). There will be more live music in the Museum Theater on Saturday and Sunday (1 and 2:30 p.m. And passengers enjoying the 40-minute excursion train rides will be treated to performances by members of the Sacramento Banjo Band.

Excursion trains will run all three weekend days, departing hourly from 11 to 5 p.m. from the nearby Central pacific Depot on Front St. between J and K Sts. Tickets may be purchased at the Sacramento Southern Railroad ticket office starting 10: 30 a.m. on the day of the ride (first-come, first served).

What: Jazz-Related Activities at the California State Railroad Museum
Where: 2nd and I Sts., Old Sacramento
When: May 26-28, 10 to 5 p.m.
Cost: Museum admission: general $9, youth (6-17) $4, children (0-5) free. Excursion train rides: general $10, youth (6-17) $5, children (0-5) free. First class Eldorado Car: per person $15, children (0-5) free. Free museum admission for those holding Music Festival badges.
For more info: (916) 445-6645 or website

It's a big weekend coming up for Railtown 1897 State Historic Park. The vintage trains will run all three days, taking passengers on a 40-minute ride through California's Gold Country. The "Movie Star Locomotive" Sierra No. 3 will working Saturday. And on Sunday the Pullman car No. 2901 will be available for its first trip of the season.

All weekend the historic belt shop will be running and the famous Caboose No. 7 will be open for tours.

Train excursion tickets may be purchased online in advance or at the park starting 10 a.m. on the day of the ride (first come -- first served).

What: Excursion Train Rides Over Memorial Day Weekend
Where: Railtown 1897 State Historic Park
When: May 26 to 28. Excursion trains depart on-the-hour from 11 to 3 p.m
Cost: General train rides - $13 adults, $6 youths ages 6-17, free for children 5 and under. First-class train ride (Sunday only): $21 adults, $9 youths ages 6-17, free for children 5 and under.
For more info: 209-984-3953 or www.railtown1897.org

News Release

PHOTO CREDIT: Sierra No. 3, the "Movie Star" steam locomotive. Courtesy Railtown 1897 State Historic Park

The Corvette has been America's sportscar since General Motors introduced the first model in 1953. The fiberglass convertible was meant to compete with the likes of British-made Triumph and Jaguar, and cost around $2,000. The Beach Boys' song "Shut Down," about a drag race involving a 1963 Stingray, helped put the official stamp on the Corvette as an icon.

That's the kind of lore that you'll hear when Corvette owners and fans gather at the "Vettes for Vets" car show at the California Automobile Museum, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 27. It's in honor of "the hard work and dedication that military veterans have committed to our country."

The Corvette showing is free to everyone; military veterans will be admitted free to two special exhibits inside the museum, opening the same day. "No Job Too Big" will display commercial vehicles such as buses, tow trucks and police cars. The second show will feature the French Citron DS.

If you're a Corvette owner, you can display your car at the "Vettes for Vets" show. Advance registration is $10, or $15 the day of the event. To register: (916) 442-6802, www.calautomuseum.org.

General admission to the museum is $8, $7 seniors, $4 students, free for age 4 and younger. The museum is at 2200 Front St., Sacramento.

-- Allen Pierleoni

PHOTO CREDIT: 1959 and 1963 Chevrolet Corvettes on display at the Towe Auto Museum. 2004 photograph by Ken Jordan

Born: April 4, 1862
Died: Sept. 28, 1962

Known for: Known as the "father" of UC Davis, Shields formulated the idea in 1899 to place an agriculture school in the Central Valley. In 1905, he wrote most of the legislation to establish the college.

Background: Born in Hangtown Crossing (now part of Rancho Cordova), Shields grew up on a farm, graduated from Christian Brothers College (now high school) and studied law. A law partner of Hiram Johnson, Shields chose the bench while the fiery Johnson opted for politics, eventually becoming California's governor. Shields was elected to a Sacramento Superior Court judgeship in 1900 and held it until he retired in 1949 at age 87. Then for another dozen years, he traveled daily from his 23rd Street home to the law office he maintained downtown. In addition to his judicial duties, his diverse interests included his work as a co-founder of McGeorge School of Law and as an advocate of agricultural education and the improvement of California livestock. He was known for developing a notable herd of Jersey cattle.

A highlight: Shields Library at UC Davis is named for him, as is a Rancho Cordova elementary school.

In History's Spotlight profiles of Sacramento newsmakers were published originally in 2007 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of The Sacramento Bee. They were written by Anthony Sorci. Look for them every Sunday in Sac History Happenings.

With Gov. Jerry Brown front and center in state politics, filmmakers Sascha Rice and Hilary Armstrong's documentary, California State of Mind: The Legacy of Pat Brown, seems more than timely.

The doc is a look into the Brown California family dynasty - a dynasty some liken to the Massachusetts-borne Kennedy dynasty. The film's main focus is Gov. Brown's father - the late Governor Edmund G. "Pat" Brown.

In the documentary, Rice and Armstrong enlist journalists, historians, contemporary thinkers, and politicians (including Jerry Brown) to frame a narrative that offers a political, philosophical, and psychological perspective on Pat Brown.

KVIE will premiere California State of Mind on Monday, May 21, at 10 p.m.

A three min. trailer can be seen here.

-- Edward Ortiz

PHOTO CREDIT: Governor Edmund G. " Pat " Brown poses in front of the Capitol with his family, from left, Jerry, Bernice, Edmund and Kathy. 1962 Sacramento Bee file photo

The May Festival is the Yolo County Historical Museum's 34th annual day of tours, crafts, plants, food and entertainment at the historic Gibson House.

Visitors of all ages will enjoy gold panning, face painting, old fashioned washboard clothes washing, children's games, blacksmith demonstration and a model railroad display.

Entertainers include Folklorico de la Woodland, Tarlesson Family traditional African dance, Crawford Perkes Classic Rock Band and other local music groups.

The Museum will open for groups of ten at a time to view a new exhibit honoring those Chinese immigrants and workers who contributed to the development of early Yolo County and the state.

What: Annual May Festival
Where: Gibson House, 512 Gibson Rd., Woodland
When: May 20, 10 to 4 p.m.
Cost: free, but visitors are asked to donate a canned good for the Woodland Volunteer Food Closet.
For more info: (530) 666-1045 or email

News release
Event flyer

PHOTO CREDIT: The Gibson House during its renovation for use as Yolo County's museum. 1982 Sacramento Bee photograph by Leilani Hu

A 2011 documentary film asks the question, what's the most environmentally and economically sound policy: retrofit old buildings or replace them with new ones? The Greenest Building argues that reuse of existing structures strengthens local economies and community identity, and has less of a negative impact on natural resources and global climate.

The local screening of the documentary this Sunday will be followed by a discussion with Architect Ron Vrilakas who will speak about reuse and preservation in "The Triangle," an infill project in Oak Park.

What: Screening of The Greenest Building documentary film
Where: Guild Theatre, 2828 35th St., Sacramento
When: May 20, 7:30 to 9 p.m.
Cost: free
For more info: SOCA at (916) 202-4815

News release
Event flyer

Local author Len Kovar will appear during the Armed Forces Day celebration at the Aerospace Museum of California this Saturday. He'll be on hand to sign books and share his his war experiences as depicted in the memoir WWII Prisoner of War: How I Survived.

Kovar served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a bombardier-navigator based in Italy. On his 11th mission his B-24 was shot down and he parachuted into Hungary. Eventually the Germans captured him and he suffered as a POW for nine months surviving various camps and forced marches.

Saturday is also Open Cockpit Day at the Museum. it's a special opportunity for kids to explore the inside of many of the aircraft on display. In addition, there will be radio controlled flights by the Mather Aerospace Modelers and other activities throughout the day.

What: Meet the Author: Len Kovar
Where: California Aerospace Museum, 3200 Freedom Park Dr., North Highland
When: May 19, 9 a.m.
Cost: $5 museum admission. Free for active military and their families.
For more info: (916) 643-3192

News release

Local author Cheryl Anne Sapp will discuss her new book, Disaster and Triumph: Sacramento Women, Gold Rush through the Civil War, this Saturday at the State Military Museum.

Although women constituted a small percentage of early Sacramento's population, they influenced the development of the city in many ways, according to Sapp. In biographical sketches of she shows how six very different women displayed skill and tenacity in meeting the challenges of flood, fire and hardship.

Autographed copies will be on sale at the lecture. or you can purchase a copy from Amazon.

What: Meet the Author: Cheryl Anne Sapp
Where: California State Military Museum, 1119 2nd St., Sacramento
When: May 19, 1 p.m.
Cost: Lecture is free. Museum admission is free for Armed Forces Day.
For more info: 916-854-1900

Event flyer

Sacramentans got a taste of amphibian fun at the recent 38th Annual Capitol Jumping Frog Contest, won by Jumping by Intoxicated, who leaped 12'5" at the urging of Anya Lawler with the office of Assembly Member Norma Torres.

But the main competition happens this weekend at the Calaveras County Fair & Jumping Frog Jubilee. This four-day extravaganza is a full-blown agricultural fair featuring craft, food and livestock exhibits, entertainment, rodeo and carnival, in addition to frog jumping.

The practice of prodding frogs for sport goes back decades and is inspired by "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County," a 1865 short story that brought early fame to Sam Clemens, aka Mark Twain. Clemens visited Angels Camp during his sojourn in California and Nevada as described in the semi-autobiographical Roughing It.

What: Calaveras County Fair & Frog Jumping Jubilee
Where: 101 Frogtown Rd., Angels Camp
When: May 17-20 (schedules)
Cost: Adults $10; children, 6-12, $6; family pass, $25. Purchase discounted tickets online.
For more info: website

PHOTO CREDIT: A fiberglass frog painted by a local artist commemorates the Mark Twain short story "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County." This and other frog statues planted around town help celebrate the town's heritage and draw attention to the annual Jumping Frog Jubilee. 2008 Sacramento Bee photograph by Janet Fullwood

The business of Sutter's Fort will be the topic of the next interactive Hands-on-History day at Sutter's Fort State Historic Park. In addition to learning about the many financial ventures that supported John Sutter's fort, visitors will get to try their hand at writing in a ledger with a quill pen, view a demonstration of gold scales, and ask questions of a guest "Connoisseur of Coins." 

What: Hands-on-History: How Did John Sutter Expect to Make Money?
Where: Sutter's Fort State Historic Park (2701 L Street, Sacramento)
When: Saturday, May 19, 2012, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Cost: $7 for adults, $5 for youths (ages 6-17), and free for children under 5
For more info: (916) 445-4422 or www.suttersfort.org

IMAGE CREDIT: General Store, Sutter's Fort - Sacramento, Calif. (McCurry Foto Co.); From the Special Collections of the Sacramento Public Library.

The Civil War comes alive at Gibson Ranch this weekend. Visitors will have the opportunity to tour civilian, Union and Confederate camps, witness battle re-enactments, and enjoy period music, food and crafts. You can also hear historic speeches and chat with living history enactors.

Plus there will be a horseman demonstration, cannon firings, fashion show, May Day celebration and a "Searching for the Dead" scenario.

A great event for families, but not recommended for pets and young children.

What: Civil War Re-enactment at Gibson Ranch
Where: Gibson Ranch, 8556 Gibson Ranch Rd., Elverta (directions).
When: May 19-20. Living History Camps Open: 9 to 3:30 p.m. Sat.; 9 to 1:30 p.m, Sun. Battle Re-enactments: 1 to 1:30 p.m. and 4 to 4:30 p.m. Sat.; 11 to 11:30 a.m. and 2 to 2:30 p.m. Sun.
Cost: $7 general admission. Children 10 and under free. Parking is included.
For more info: 916-991-7592 or website

Event schedule

PHOTO CREDIT: Southern Rebels forces overrun a Union camp in a re-enactment of the battle of Big Bethel at Gibson Ranch Park in Elverta. 2006 Sacramento Bee photograph by Andy Alfaro

Born: 1822
Died: Oct. 6, 1881

Known for: Jerome C. Davis was a rancher and landholder for whom the city of Davis, originally called "Davisville," is named.

Background: An Ohio native, Davis arrived in California in 1845 as part of Capt. John C. Fremont's topographical survey expedition. In the early 1850s, Davis started the first dairy in Yolo County with Col. Joseph B. Chiles. With the help of Davis' father, Isaac, the farm prospered until the mid-1860s. Davis deeded the ranch to his father in 1866. A year later, Isaac Davis sold part of his ranch to the California Pacific Railroad. In 1868, the railroad filed a plot for the new town of Davisville. In 1917, the community incorporated. The "ville" was dropped from its name about the same time.

A highlight: In 1905, legislation was approved for the establishment of a state agricultural school. A year later, purchase of 778 acres of the original Jerome C. Davis ranch formed the basis for the University Farm School. It grew into a branch of Berkeley's College of Agriculture in 1922, then into a separate campus - the University of California at Davis - in 1959.

In History's Spotlight profiles of Sacramento newsmakers were published originally in 2007 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of The Sacramento Bee. They were written by Anthony Sorci. Look for them every Sunday in Sac History Happenings.

In the spirit of May Preservation Month, check out Sacramento Heritage's list of self-guided walking tours of some of the best historic areas in the city. The annotated maps and brochures will help you plan your jaunts whenever you want to go.

Tours include architectural landmarks downtown, on J and K Streets, Oak Park, Curtis Park and Boulevard Park. Plus there are bungalow tours in Midtown and East Sacramento.

If you want to see many of these sites from the comfort of home, Sacramento Heritage has posted several photo collections on its Flickr page.

Sacramento Heritage, Inc. is a public/private partnership whose mission is to preserve and promote the city's historic architecture. The organization conducts surveys, sponsors workshops and provides grants and loans for preservation efforts.

PHOTO CREDIT: Elks Building, 11th and J Sts., part of the J and K Street Commercial Corridor Walking Tour. 2001 Sacramento Bee photograph by Jay Mather

In celebration of National Train Day and Mother's Day, visitors to Folsom's Rail Daze will have a unique opportunity take a ride on a vintage 1914 streetcar or a "speeder" (railroad maintenance car).

In addition to the excursion rides, there will be exhibits, booths, model trains and music provided by the Sacramento Banjo Band and Riverbend Folk Band.

Rail Daze is hosted by the Recreational Coalition Railroad Historical Society.

What: Rail Daze Weekend Folsom
Where: Hampton Inn, 155 Placerville Rd., Folsom
When: May 12 & 13, 9 to 5 p.m.
Cost: Mothers and grandmothers ride free. All others $5.
For more info: Kathryn Corbett at 916-353-0556

Event flyer

PHOTO CREDIT: Former state assemblyman Larry Bowler sits in his speeder, a small gas-powered vehicle formerly used by railroad maintenance crews. 2007 Sacramento Bee photograph by Randy Pench

Here's a different kind of Mother's Day gift: a leisurely train ride behind a vintage locomotive. These 40-minute, six mile excursions along the Sacramento River start and end in Old Sacramento. Passengers can ride in open-air gondolas cars with bench seating or closed coaches with more comfortable seats. Moms who ride on Sunday receive a complimentary Decadent Double Fudge Dipped Cake Pop (while supplies last). Tickets may be purchased Sunday on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 10:30.

Saturday is National Train Day. In celebration excursion rides will be pulled by two streamlined diesel locomotives: Southern Pacific 6051 and Western Pacific 913.

What: Excursion Train Rides on Mother's Day!
Where: Trains depart from the Central Pacific Railroad Freight Depot, Front Street between J and K Streets in Old Sacramento
When: May 13. Departing hourly from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: $10 adults; $5 youths ages 6-17; free for children ages 5 and under. $15 for first class tickets aboard the El Dorado observation car.
For more info: 916-445-6645 or website

News Release

PHOTO CREDIT: Granite Rock No. 10 is one of the historic locomotives that pull excursion trains through Old Sacramento. Courtesy California State Railroad Museum