City history
A journey through the timekeeping and transformation of Sacramento, from its frontier roots to its status as California's capital.
Chapter one
Earliest documented name
"New Switzerland"
While the Nisenan people inhabited the region, a specific indigenous name for the settlement is not reliably documented; New Helvetia was the first recorded name used by John Sutter.
New Switzerland
The name given to John Sutter's initial settlement and land grant area.
Sacrament
Derived from the Spanish name for the Sacramento River flowing through the region.
Chapter two
The region became part of the standardized Pacific Time Zone used across the Western United States.
Sacramento followed federal shifts in Daylight Saving Time observance to assist with energy conservation efforts.
Chapter three
The discovery of gold in the region triggered a global migration, making Sacramento a critical supply hub.
California officially joined the United States, accelerating the growth of its key river cities.
Sacramento was officially named the capital of California, establishing its long-term political significance.
The completion of the railroad connected the West Coast to the East, revolutionizing local transit and time.