Sutter's Fort

Sutter's Fort
08/1839 AD founded

Sutter arrives in Alta California with other Euro-American settlers in August 1839. He establishes an agricultural and trading colony, with the stockade Sutter's Fort, and named it "Nueva Helvetia."

It was located at the confluence of the Sacramento River and American River. In English the name means "New Switzerland", after Sutter's home country. The design was influenced by Bents Fort operated by the William Bent, which Sutter visited before entering Alta California.

As many as six hundred Indians worked at New Helvetia during the wheat harvest. Other industries included "a distillery, hat factory, blanket works, and a tannery." These workers were recruited through local leaders such as Maximo, a Miwok who had sent many workers to Mission San José and Anashe.

Housing and working conditions at the fort were very poor, and have been described as "enslavement", with uncooperative Indians being "whipped, jailed, and executed." Housing for workers living in nearby villages and rancherías was described as somewhat better.

The settlement was defended by an army of Miwok, Nisenan, and Mission Indians, all consisting of 150 infantry, 50 cavalry, and German-speaking white officers. This group, wearing Russian uniforms purchased from Fort Ross, marched to the Pueblo of Los Angeles area and briefly defended Governor Manuel Micheltorena from the revolt of the Californios.

New Helvetia

Lattitude: 38.58° N
Longitude: 121.48° W
Region: North America

Modern Day United States

Events in 1839 MORE