Sacramento History Photo(s) of the Week: Issue No. 4

917 “H” Street, circa 1890. The residence was built in 1882 by architects Seth Babson and James Seadler in the style of ‘Victorian Stick,’ characterized by rectangular shaping, wood siding, and a steep, gabled roof with overhanging eaves. Its first resident was city pioneer Llewellyn Williams. In 1891, it was sold to H.G. Smith for $30,000 in gold. Well after Smith’s departure, it was converted into a funeral home in 1907, and then acquired by the University Club in 1971. Today, it serves ably as a youth hostel. Sacramento Room.

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Halsey G. Smith, circa 1890. While the promise of the Gold Rush drew Smith to Sacramento from New York, it was business – most notably the Pioneer Milling Company at Front and “G” Streets – that brought him enormous wealth. His residence at 917 “H” Street offered not just a clear to his president’s post at the river front mill, but entry into Sacramento’s business aristocracy. Sacramento Room.

These photos and many more like them can be found in the Sacramento Public Library’s Sacramento Room which is open to the public Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday 1 to 5, and Thursday 1 to 8.