Sac History Happenings: In History's Spotlight: Sam Brannan

Sac History Happenings

News and developments in Sacramento and California history

March 18, 2012

In History's Spotlight: Sam Brannan

Born: March 2, 1819
Died: May 14, 1889

Known for: California's first millionaire, Sam Brannan owned a store at Sutter's Fort during the Gold Rush. He was also a real estate magnate who, with John Sutter Jr., subdivided 4 square miles along the Sacramento River, selling parcels for $200-500.

Background: A Maine native, Brannan moved to Ohio and New York before embarking with other members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for California via ship around Cape Horn. Brannan established himself in San Francisco before opening the Sutter's Fort store where he stocked gold-panning supplies and profited handsomely. He became a leader of a group of Mormons who staked a claim on what became Mormon Island (now covered by Folsom Lake) but was later excommunicated. During the 1850s and 1860s, he bought land throughout the state and in Hawaii. He lost most of his fortune in a divorce settlement.

A highlight: Brannan's legacy is evident at Brannan Island in the Delta, Sam Brannan Middle School in Sacramento and Brannan Street in San Francisco. He also founded the village of Calistoga.

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.

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California and Sacramento have a long, rich, vibrant history. And our region is blessed with an abundance of historical resources maintained by museums, libraries, archives and societies. This blog aims to alert readers to the latest developments in local/state historical education and research.

Send tips concerning upcoming exhibits, tours, lectures and meetings, as well as new books, magazine articles and online collections to the blog's contributors.

The Contributors:

Michael Dolgushkin

Michael Dolgushkin is Manuscript Librarian at the California State Library History Section. He is co-author of San Francisco's California Street Cable Cars and is a frequent contributor to the California State Library Foundation Bulletin. Contact him at mdolgushkin@library.ca.gov.

Amanda Graham is a Certified Archivist working in the Sacramento Room of the Sacramento Public Library. She earned a BS in History from Southern Oregon University and a MS in Information Studies with an emphasis in archives from The University of Texas at Austin. Contact her at agraham@saclibrary.org.

Pete Basofin is Director of Editorial Research at The Sacramento Bee. He previously worked at The St. Petersburg Times and Columbia (Mo.) Daily Tribune. Contact him at pbasofin@sacbee.com.

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