Category Archives: Uncategorized

William M. Gwin

Posted on October 28, 2019 by nancyleek

If you covet a seat in the U.S. Senate, one way to get it is to find a place that is just about to become a state, and make yourself a leader in state politics. Come with the air of … Continue reading →

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The Democracy

Posted on October 27, 2019 by nancyleek

In the early years of California statehood, the Democratic Party dominated state politics. Often referred to as “The Democracy,” it arose out of Jefferson’s Democratic-Republican Party. For a while, after the demise of the Federalists, this was the only party … Continue reading →

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A Pioneer in California Agriculture

Posted on October 23, 2019 by nancyleek

John Bidwell was not only an American pioneer on the California Trail, he was California’s foremost pioneer in agriculture. Agriculture was Bidwell’s consuming passion and lifelong pursuit. After discovering gold at Bidwell Bar, he was able to purchase Rancho del … Continue reading →

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Rancho Olompali

Posted on October 22, 2019 by nancyleek

On this date— Rancho Olompali is the only Mexican land grant awarded to a California Native American. The story is an interesting one, and I have to thank the Sacramento History Museum for bringing this date in history to my … Continue reading →

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Politics in Nineteenth Century California

Posted on October 20, 2019 by nancyleek

I am working on a presentation for an OLLI class on Local History. (OLLI is the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute — basically retirees teaching other retirees whatever they feel like teaching. It’s a fun and easy way to keep your … Continue reading →

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For California’s Gold

Posted on October 10, 2019 by nancyleek

I enjoy reading historical fiction, but only if I know it is as authentic as possible. Nothing makes me more testy than to have an anachronism intrude into a good story.  I remember one where two young men arrived by … Continue reading →

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Ghosts of Gold Mountain

Posted on October 8, 2019 by nancyleek

Ghosts of Gold Mountain, by Gordon H. Chang, is “the epic story of the Chinese who built the transcontinental railroad,” a book that combines faultless scholarship with compelling storytelling. (published by Houghton, Mifflin, Harcourt, 2019; available at your public library.) … Continue reading →

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I’m Back!

Posted on October 8, 2019 by nancyleek

And you probably didn’t even know I was gone. I’ve been silent here for the last couple of weeks because I was on vacation. My husband and I went on a trip to Scotland, to see the land of my … Continue reading →

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Kit Carson

Posted on September 20, 2019 by nancyleek

I have enjoyed riches and suffered the pangs of poverty. I saw General Grant when he was little known. I baked bread for General Fremont and talked to Kit Carson. Nancy Kelsey When Nancy Kelsey was remembering her adventurous life, … Continue reading →

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California Admission Day

Posted on September 8, 2019 by nancyleek

Here’s Cuffy in a cartoon from 1850, reading the news of California’s admission into the Union.  The drawing comes from the Society of California Pioneers, but I don’t know anything else about the source of this picture. The SCP has … Continue reading →

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