in Places & People

What Sacramento, CA, looked like in the 1890s

702 Views 9 Comments

In the 1890s, Sacramento, California, was a bustling and rapidly growing city. It had survived the challenges of the Gold Rush era and was now establishing itself as a significant hub of commerce and culture in the region. During this time, the city experienced significant industry, transportation, and social development that would shape its future.

Industry

Sacramento’s economy in the 1890s was primarily based on agriculture and manufacturing. The city was known for its food processing industry, with factories producing canned fruits, vegetables, and meats. The most prominent of these was the California Fruit Canners Association, established in Sacramento in 1899 and became the largest fruit canning company in the world. Sacramento also had a thriving manufacturing industry. Factories produced various goods, including textiles, shoes, and furniture. The city was also home to the Southern Pacific Railroad’s major repair facility, which employed thousands of workers and played a significant role in the city’s economy.

Transportation

Transportation was critical to Sacramento’s growth in the 1890s. The city was located at the confluence of two major rivers, the Sacramento and the American, which made it a natural center for trade and commerce. The Sacramento River was also a major transportation route for goods, and steamboats were crucial in bringing supplies and people to the city.

In addition to river transport, the Southern Pacific Railroad had a significant presence in Sacramento. The railroad had a major repair facility in the city, and the station was a hub for passenger and freight traffic. The railroad also brought people from all over the country to Sacramento, which helped to fuel the city’s growth.

Social Life

Sacramento in the 1890s was a diverse and vibrant city with a rich social life. The city had a thriving arts scene, with theaters and opera houses bringing in performers from all over the world. The Sacramento Opera House opened in 1890 and was one of the most prominent venues for live entertainment, hosting performances by famous actors and singers.

Sacramento was also a center for politics and activism. The city was the capital of California, and the state government played a significant role in shaping the city’s social and economic landscape. Women’s suffrage was an important issue during this time, and Sacramento was home to many suffragettes who worked tirelessly to secure the right to vote for women. Sacramento also had a lively nightlife scene. The city had many saloons, dance halls, and gambling establishments, which were popular with both locals and visitors. The most famous was the Elks Club, known for its luxurious furnishings and lively atmosphere.

These fascinating historical photos will take you back to the 1890s in Sacramento.

Also check Sacramento in the 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, and 1880s.

#1 Electric street car number 103 of the Sacramento Electric Gas & Railway Co., 1895

Electric street car number 103 of the Sacramento Electric Gas & Railway Co., 1895

2 Points
Upvote Downvote

#3 Sacramento Daily & Weekly Union Newspaper Building.

Sacramento Daily & Weekly Union Newspaper Building.

2 Points
Upvote Downvote

#7 Sacramento Depot during the Pullman Strike of 1894.

Sacramento Depot during the Pullman Strike of 1894.

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

#10 Sacramento Depot during the Pullman Railroad Strike of 1894.

Sacramento Depot during the Pullman Railroad Strike of 1894.

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

#17 View from Capitol building looking northwest. Old Courthouse visible at 7th and I Sts. in distance, 1890

View from Capitol building looking northwest. Old Courthouse visible at 7th and I Sts. in distance, 1890

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

#18 Captain Frank Ruhstaller’s Residence, Sacramento, 1890-1910

Captain Frank Ruhstaller's Residence, Sacramento, 1890-1910

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

#20 Southern Pacific Depot during the Pullman Strike, 1897

Southern Pacific Depot during the Pullman Strike, 1897

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

#23 Howe’s Academy, N. W. Cor. Ninth and I Sts., Sacramento, 1890

Howe's Academy, N. W. Cor. Ninth and I Sts., Sacramento, 1890

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

#31 A large brick building at the Stanford Mansion at 8th and N streets, 1890

A large brick building at the Stanford Mansion at 8th and N streets, 1890

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

#32 The First Baptist Church on 9th Street between L and M Streets, 1898

The First Baptist Church on 9th Street between L and M Streets, 1898

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

#33 Sacramento River looking toward the 4th Street Bridge in 1896.

Sacramento River looking toward the 4th Street Bridge in 1896.

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#35 Southern Pacific Depot at 6th and I St. Sacramento, 1890

Southern Pacific Depot at 6th and I St. Sacramento, 1890

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#39 Huntington Hopkins & Co. hardware store, 1850-1900

Huntington Hopkins & Co. hardware store, 1850-1900

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#40 Pullman Railroad Strike of 1894 – National Guard Arrival, Sacramento

Pullman Railroad Strike of 1894 - National Guard Arrival, Sacramento

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#51 Sutter’s Fort shortly after being rebuilt, 1895

Sutter's Fort shortly after being rebuilt, 1895

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#52 Small Victorian-styled house with white picket fence, 1895

Small Victorian-styled house with white picket fence, 1895

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#53 Electric street car number 11 the Oak Park via State Capitol line, 1891

Electric street car number 11 the Oak Park via State Capitol line, 1891

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#54 Patrol Wagon, 1895. This horse-drawn wagon was the police department’s first vehicle. Dubbed the ‘Black Maria’, it served as prisoner transport and ambulance.

Patrol Wagon, 1895. This horse-drawn wagon was the police department's first vehicle. Dubbed the 'Black Maria', it served as prisoner transport and ambulance.

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#57 View of plowed ground on side of McFarland house, 1895

View of plowed ground on side of McFarland house, 1895

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#62 Train wreck over a slough in Sacramento. Groups of men standing on the bank of the slough, bridge and on the wrecked cars and locomotive, 1890

Train wreck over a slough in Sacramento. Groups of men standing on the bank of the slough, bridge and on the wrecked cars and locomotive, 1890

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#64 Four men stand on a railroad handcar, two school-aged girls sit on front of it, 1895

Four men stand on a railroad handcar, two school-aged girls sit on front of it, 1895

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#67 John Bruener Furniture Ware Rooms at 160 K Street, 1890

John Bruener Furniture Ware Rooms at 160 K Street, 1890

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#68 View of the Jefferson Free School at 16th and N Streets in 1896

View of the Jefferson Free School at 16th and N Streets in 1896

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#69 Sutter’s Fort shortly after restoration, interior view of grounds showing central building, 1891

Sutter's Fort shortly after restoration, interior view of grounds showing central building, 1891

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#70 Henderson, Brown & Co. Wholesale Produces, 201 J Street, 1890.

Henderson, Brown & Co. Wholesale Produces, 201 J Street, 1890.

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#71 Exterior view of Charles Crocker’s home at 8th and F Streets, 1890

Exterior view of Charles Crocker's home at 8th and F Streets, 1890

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#73 View of the central building at Sutter’s Fort before restoration, 1890

View of the central building at Sutter's Fort before restoration, 1890

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#74 William Brome Grocery Store at the southwest corner of 8th and O Streets, 1899

William Brome Grocery Store at the southwest corner of 8th and O Streets, 1899

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#76 U. S. Post Office under construction in Sacramento, 1891

U. S. Post Office under construction in Sacramento, 1891

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#79 Native Sons of the Golden West Parade on J Street, 1895

Native Sons of the Golden West Parade on J Street, 1895

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#81 Exterior view of the Fair Oaks Methodist-Episcopal Church, 1890

Exterior view of the Fair Oaks Methodist-Episcopal Church, 1890

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#84 Sisters of Mercy Hospital under construction, 1895

Sisters of Mercy Hospital under construction, 1895

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#86 View of three people standing in front of a house, 1890

View of three people standing in front of a house, 1890

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#89 Exterior view of the Western Hotel’s horse-drawn passenger wagon, 1890s.

Exterior view of the Western Hotel's horse-drawn passenger wagon, 1890s.

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#96 Sales people wait on customers seated at counter in shirt department, 1890

Sales people wait on customers seated at counter in shirt department, 1890

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#98 Exterior view of the Charles Deterding residence.

Exterior view of the Charles Deterding residence.

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#100 A parade of elephants on the 300 block of J Street, 1890

A parade of elephants on the 300 block of J Street, 1890

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#101 A shoreline with several boats, a boat house, and a house on a small hill overlooking the water, 1890

A shoreline with several boats, a boat house, and a house on a small hill overlooking the water, 1890

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#104 C. H. Krebs & Company at 626 J Street specializing in wall coverings, 1896

C. H. Krebs & Company at 626 J Street specializing in wall coverings, 1896

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#105 City Brewery, maker of Ruhstaller’s “Gilt Edge” steam beer, 1890

City Brewery, maker of Ruhstaller's "Gilt Edge" steam beer, 1890

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#107 Opening day for Weinstock Lubin’s new store, 1895

Opening day for Weinstock Lubin's new store, 1895

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#108 Ranch workers stack hay in large pile with help of steam-powered machinery, 1895

Ranch workers stack hay in large pile with help of steam-powered machinery, 1895

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#109 Two twelve horse hitch freight wagons parked next to a railroad depot, 1890

Two twelve horse hitch freight wagons parked next to a railroad depot, 1890

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#110 A memorial service taking place for C.P. Huntington at the Southern Pacific Shops, 1899

A memorial service taking place for C.P. Huntington at the Southern Pacific Shops, 1899

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#111 The Agricultural Pavilion at 15th & L Streets, 1894

The Agricultural Pavilion at 15th & L Streets, 1894

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#112 Weinstock Lubin Department Store at 4th and K Streets in 1891.

Weinstock Lubin Department Store at 4th and K Streets in 1891.

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#118 Circus parade with elephants marching along J Street, 1891.

Circus parade with elephants marching along J Street, 1891.

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#119 A front exterior view of the Stanton, Thomson & Co. hardware store at 308-312 J Street, 1890

A front exterior view of the Stanton, Thomson & Co. hardware store at 308-312 J Street, 1890

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#123 Two men mounted on horses and two men standing on the porch of a house, 1890

Two men mounted on horses and two men standing on the porch of a house, 1890

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#124 Steamship Red Bluff, bags of grain in foreground, 1890

Steamship Red Bluff, bags of grain in foreground, 1890

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#126 The Grangers’ Hall at the southeast corner of 10th and K Streets in 1896.

The Grangers' Hall at the southeast corner of 10th and K Streets in 1896.

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#130 Elevated view looking down K St. from 7th. Golden Eagle Hotel and St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church to left. Toll’s Stable and the City Horse Market to right, 1890

Elevated view looking down K St. from 7th. Golden Eagle Hotel and St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church to left. Toll's Stable and the City Horse Market to right, 1890

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#131 Marshall Primary School at 27th and J Streets, 1890

Marshall Primary School at 27th and J Streets, 1890

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#134 Martin’s, Bryant’s, and Haller’s Houses, 1895

Martin's, Bryant's, and Haller's Houses, 1895

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#135 City Police Patrol wagon in front of the City Jail and City Justice Court in the old City Hall at Front and I Streets, 1890

City Police Patrol wagon in front of the City Jail and City Justice Court in the old City Hall at Front and I Streets, 1890

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#137 Exterior view of a man standing on the porch of a house, 1890

Exterior view of a man standing on the porch of a house, 1890

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#139 View of the Leland Stanford home at 8th and N Streets, 1890

View of the Leland Stanford home at 8th and N Streets, 1890

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#140 Ranch Hands and Horse-drawn Farm Equipment, 1895

Ranch Hands and Horse-drawn Farm Equipment, 1895

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#141 Capital Furniture Sales Room at 178 J Street, 1890

Capital Furniture Sales Room at 178 J Street, 1890

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#145 The Christian Brothers’ College at 12th and K Streets, 1890

The Christian Brothers' College at 12th and K Streets, 1890

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#147 The Agricultural Pavilion of the California State Agricultural Society, 1896

The Agricultural Pavilion of the California State Agricultural Society, 1896

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#148 Three views of theThomson-Diggs Co. building at 1806 3rd Street, 1890

Three views of theThomson-Diggs Co. building at 1806 3rd Street, 1890

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#150 A. J. Pommer’s Building, a piano, organ and musical goods business located at 829 and 831 J Street, 1890

A. J. Pommer's Building, a piano, organ and musical goods business located at 829 and 831 J Street, 1890

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#151 Exterior view a two-story Victorian house with fenced yard, 1890

Exterior view a two-story Victorian house with fenced yard, 1890

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#152 Exterior view of Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church, 1890

Exterior view of Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church, 1890

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#162 Tavenor’s House from West Dixon’s Hills, 1895

Tavenor's House from West Dixon's Hills, 1895

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#163 View of several people standing on front porch of Trott’s Hotel, 1890

View of several people standing on front porch of Trott's Hotel, 1890

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#165 Large family group stands in front of house and fence, 1895

Large family group stands in front of house and fence, 1895

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#167 Brick Central Electric Railway Co. barn with two arched entryways and bay window at front,1892

Brick Central Electric Railway Co. barn with two arched entryways and bay window at front,1892

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#168 Brick building at 501 I Street, Sacramento, 1890

Brick building at 501 I Street, Sacramento, 1890

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#172 Beesley & Son (Albert V. and Charles A.) grocery store located at 518 J Steet. Shows bags and boxes stacked in front, 1896

Beesley & Son (Albert V. and Charles A.) grocery store located at 518 J Steet. Shows bags and boxes stacked in front, 1896

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#173 Eagleson & Co.building at 631 J Street, corner of 7th housing, 1896

Eagleson & Co.building at 631 J Street, corner of 7th housing, 1896

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#175 Highland Park Grove School, 24th & Y Streets, 1896

Highland Park Grove School, 24th & Y Streets, 1896

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#179 Hall of Records on the north side of K Street between 6th & 7th Streets, 1895

Hall of Records on the north side of K Street between 6th & 7th Streets, 1895

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#180 A. J. Pommer’s building as it stood in 1896. Its 829 J St. location sold musical supplies, while sewing machines were offered at 831 J St. Both stores were at the northwest corner of Ninth and J streets.

A. J. Pommer's building as it stood in 1896. Its 829 J St. location sold musical supplies, while sewing machines were offered at 831 J St. Both stores were at the northwest corner of Ninth and J streets.

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#181 Shades of Sacramento – A. J. Pommer’s Building, 1896

Shades of Sacramento - A. J. Pommer's Building, 1896

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#184 Exterior view of three people sitting on the porch of a house in Fair Oaks, 1890

Exterior view of three people sitting on the porch of a house in Fair Oaks, 1890

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#185 View of the California State Capitol building circa 1890.

View of the California State Capitol building circa 1890.

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#188 Post Office at corner of 7th and K Streets, 1892

Post Office at corner of 7th and K Streets, 1892

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#189 John Riley Groceries. Previously known as Wagner’s Grocery, and later as Tru Value Market, 1890

John Riley Groceries. Previously known as Wagner's Grocery, and later as Tru Value Market, 1890

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#191 Central Pacific locomotive at Napa Junction, 1890

Central Pacific locomotive at Napa Junction, 1890

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#192 Man in front of the Cunningham house on Sunset Ave, 1890

Man in front of the Cunningham house on Sunset Ave, 1890

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#193 View of the Dewey home on Dewey and Winding Way, 1890

View of the Dewey home on Dewey and Winding Way, 1890

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#199 Daytime Prelude to Grand Electric Carnival, 1895

Daytime Prelude to Grand Electric Carnival, 1895

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#201 The Weinstock, Lubin, and Company department store at 4th and K Street, now part of the site of the Downtown, 1894

The Weinstock, Lubin, and Company department store at 4th and K Street, now part of the site of the Downtown, 1894

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#207 River Boat Josie Lane tied up at Red Bluff Dock at Pine Street, 1890

River Boat Josie Lane tied up at Red Bluff Dock at Pine Street, 1890

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#212 View of the Hayman home on the corner of 5th and Randolph Street, 1895

View of the Hayman home on the corner of 5th and Randolph Street, 1895

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#219 Students and teachers standing in front of a school building, 1890

Students and teachers standing in front of a school building, 1890

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#222 T.C. Perkins & Son, groceries, grain flour, 1899

T.C. Perkins & Son, groceries, grain flour, 1899

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#224 Bridge Tender Jim Lange at the Centennial Bridge, 1890

Bridge Tender Jim Lange at the Centennial Bridge, 1890

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#226 Chaparral House with 7 people outside of it, 1898

Chaparral House with 7 people outside of it, 1898

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#228 Window display of cameras and photographic equipment, 1890

Window display of cameras and photographic equipment, 1890

-1 Points
Upvote Downvote
Avatar of Aung Budhh

Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

9 Comments

    • Yes, from 1870 until 1947; for a while, we had 3 different streetcar companies, and in addition to local streetcars you could take electric trains to Stockton, Oakland/San Francisco, Marysville, or Chico in an hour or two, with suburban lines to Woodland and North Sacramento. And to bring back public transit that doesn’t suck, we need to fund it enough for it to not suck.

      0
      Reply