Description
National Historic Landmark. This NHL offers public access. Please contact the NHL directly for visitor information.
History
During the 1840s, Sutter's Fort, situated at the convergence of overland immigrant trails, was the most strategically located site in Northern California. The fort was the focal point of the various agricultural enterprises controlled by its builder, John Agustus Sutter. Discovery of gold in the Sierra foothills, ironically at a saw mill constructed for Sutter, led to the collapse of Sutter's growing empire.