Sacramento became a city due to the efforts of John Sutter, a Swiss immigrant, and James W. Marshall. Sacramento grew faster due to the protection of Sutter's Fort, which was established by Sutter in 1839. During the California Gold Rush, Sacramento was a major distribution point, a commercial and agricultural center, and a terminus for wagon trains, stagecoaches, riverboats, the telegraph, the Pony Express and the First Transcontinental Railroad. For more information about the history of Sacramento, view a timeline of major events starting in the year 1808.

Sacramento has a rich place in history as the first gold discovery in 1848, which lead gold seekers, miners and pioneers to the Sacramento area. This was the largest human migration in history. For more information about the history of Sacramento, visit the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Center website.

Sacramento County was incorporated in 1850 as one of the original 27 counties of California (Map of State). The County's largest city, the City of Sacramento, is the seat of government for California and also serves as the county seat. Sacramento became the State Capital in 1854. The County is the major component of the Sacramento Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA) which includes Sacramento, El Dorado and Placer Counties.

The County Charter was established in 1933 and still used today. The official County Seal was adopted by the Board of Supervisors on January 18, 1961, following a contest for an appropriate design.

• Sacramento County Historical Society 
• Sacramento History