Sacramento leaders reflect on America at 250

For Comstock’s commemoration of the United States’ 250th birthday, we wanted to highlight a modern understanding of what it means to be American in the Capital Region — once the Western frontier, now the heart of the nation’s most populous state.

When the Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence 250 years ago, establishing the United States of America as an independent nation, Sacramento did not exist. The land that we now call the Capital Region was inhabited by Nisenan, Miwok Maidu, Washoe and other nations who had made their living from its rich natural resources for millennia.

The Spanish began building missions up and down the coast of California in the late 18th century, and they founded San Francisco just five days before the U.S. declared independence in 1776. The Sacramento Valley, however, remained relatively outside of the sphere of European influence until John Sutter established Sutter’s Fort in 1839.

That may be part of why California, and the Capital Region in particular, has been relatively slow to participate in celebrations for America’s semiquincentennial. For the bicentennial in 1976, local celebrations often harkened back to 19th century events like the Gold Rush (1848-1855) and the short-lived Pony Express (1860-1861), despite those moments taking place decades after the date at hand. This year’s anniversary seems to require a different approach.

For our own commemoration of the United States’ 250th birthday, we wanted to highlight a more modern understanding of what it means to be American in the Capital Region — once the Western frontier, now the heart of the nation’s most populous state.

To this end, we reached out to local leaders to share what America’s 250th means to them. Their responses offer reflections on freedom, resilience, community and the enduring idea that each generation has a role in shaping the country’s next chapter.

– Jennifer Fergesen, digital editor

These Sacramento Residents Represent Foreign Governments — for Free

Bulgaria, Denmark, New Zealand, Zambia and France each have an honorary consul in the Capital Region. But what exactly do they do? And why, of all places, are they here?

Sacramento’s Former Courthouse Is for Sale. Here’s What Could Replace It

The former Schaber courthouse is on the market for $13.6 million, raising big questions about downtown redevelopment.

When Something Ends, Something New Begins | Opinion

On the occasion of the nation’s semiquincentennial anniversary, Comstock’s president and publisher considers her own semicentenary in the publishing industry and the biblical concept of a jubilee.

Some recommendations from our editors

Dakota: On a recent jaunt through Sacramento Historic City Cemetery, I stumbled upon a sign commemorating a woman whose role in history was not revealed until long after her death.

On April 11, 1865, the Civil War had just ended, and the California state capitol was in its final stages of construction. While the workers were at lunch, 33-year-old Jane Norris snuck onto the site and carried out her covert plan, detailed in a note left on the rooftop.

Gentlemen: I have had the pleasure of climbing the ladder and placing the stars and stripes. Three cheers for Uncle Abe and Cabinet — A poor but patriotic woman.

The note was signed “A Lady,” a mystery which held the collective imagination. Norris, however, took the secret to her grave in 1899. Her identity was finally revealed by her daughter in 1929.

Californians are largely absent from the early annals of American history, but Norris’ story is a reminder that those who immigrated to the nascent state carried with them their vision of a more perfect union.

In the spirit of optimism, we at Comstock’s wish you a happy Independence Day weekend!

Odds and ends

Our July issue celebrates America’s 250th anniversary and the Capital Region’s emerging young leaders. Read it now on your computer, phone or tablet.

But wait — it’s even better in print! Subscribe today.

Comstock's