Monthly Archives: December 2010

Christmas in California, 1841

Posted on December 24, 2010 by nancyleek

John Bidwell spent his first Christmas in California at Sutter’s settlement. Sutter himself hadn’t been there very long, and was only just getting started with his plans for fields and a fort. “The settlement, if it could then be so … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Grizzlies

Posted on December 19, 2010 by nancyleek

Today the only grizzly bears to be seen in California are on the state flag. But in John Bidwell’s day, grizzlies were a common sight, and a significant danger. California in 1841 was a land abounding in wild game–deer, antelope, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

“Everybody goes to Sutter’s”

Posted on December 8, 2010 by nancyleek

It seems that in 1841 California, Sutter’s establishment was like Rick’s Cafe Americaine in Casablanca. “Nearly everybody who came to California made it a point to reach Sutter’s Fort. Sutter was one of the most liberal and hospitable of men. … Continue reading →

Posted in John Sutter | Leave a comment

John Sutter

Posted on December 4, 2010 by nancyleek

John Augustus Sutter (born Johann August Suter in 1803) claimed to have been a captain in the Swiss Guard, and to further that image, bought himself a uniform jacket in St. Louis, before heading westward. He may have served in … Continue reading →