F pioneer settlement established in a wilderness to the metropolis of the Golden OUNDED in 1839 by General John A. Sutter, Sacramento has grown from a
Empire, one of the richest and most thriving areas in the world.
The capital of the State of California, Sacramento is located at the confluence of the Sacramento and American rivers, in the heart of the Sacramento Valley. Travelling the trails of romance made famous by Bret Harte and Mark Twain, in an empire alive with historically interesting places, one may recall the thrilling scenes of "the days of old, the days of gold, the '49." There are many modern scenes, too, just as interesting, just as romantic.
A transportation, industrial and wholesale centre for the agricultural, horticultural, mining and lumbering activities of the rich surrounding area, Sacramento is served by two transcontinental railroads, three electric lines, the Sacramento River, highways and, of course, airways.
Sacramento is the gateway to the great resort and recreation area of the Sierra-Nevada Mountains to the north and east.
The acreage of its public parks totals 1,212 while its average temperature is 55 in winter, 72 in summer. Population, 120,000. Its landmarks include its State Capitol buildings, the finest state plant in the United States, second only in size, value and facilities to the national capital in Washington; Capitol Park, embracing 40 acres, containing a thousand varieties of trees, flowers and shrubbery from every country in the world; and historic Sutter's Fort, Sacramento's Landmark No. 1.
Of particular interest to Shanghailanders is the fact that Sacramento's city government, established August 1st, 1849, the year following the discovery of gold at Coloma, resembles that governing the International Settlement, the city being governed by a council of nine members who serve without salary and elect a city manager who is the chief executive and handles virtually all of the administrative details of the government, It is recognized throughout America for its progressive methods. Sacramento is first in the U.S. Public Health Contest and an honor city in state and national traffic accident prevention.
Sacramento maintains a municipal summer camp, adjacent to which is a veritable fisherman's paradise.
Other water sports and various forms of recreation provide attractions for the visitor the year round.
Despite the war, there remain many beauty spots in hospitable lands to which the Shanghailander on Home Leave may go.
Our travel experts will be glad to help you plan your itinerary—from start to finish.
Just telephone, write or drop in and world-wide American Express Travel Service will place its facilities and organization at your disposal.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.
