There can be no better evidence of the advantages and capabilities for improvement of the place than this single fact."- St. Louis “Reville,” February 12, 1848.

John A. Sutter.

I remember standing on the bank of the Sacramento River, talking with Captain Sutter, in the fall of ’49; he remarked, “I have moored my boats in the tops of those cottonwood trees, where the driftwood showed not less than 25 feet from the ground.”

“The Plaza.”

Portsmouth Square or the “Plaza,” as we then called it, was located in the hub of the old settlement on the cove, and occupied half a block to the west of Kearny street, between Clay and Washington.  It was the scene of all public meetings and demonstrations.  It was named after the old sloop-of-war “Portsmouth,” whose commanding officer, Captain Montgomery, landed with a command of 70 sailors and marines on July 8, 1846, raised the American flag here and proclaimed the occupancy of Northern California by the United States.  A salute of twenty-one guns was fired from the “Portsmouth” simultaneously.

On the east side of Kearny street, opposite the Plaza, was the “El Dorado,” a famous gambling saloon, adjoining which was the Parker House, afterwards the Jenny Lind Theatre, while on the north side of Washington street stood the Bella Union Theatre, and on the west on Brenham Place was the old Monumental Fire Engine House whose fire bell played so prominent a part in the days of the Vigilantes.

In the spring of 1850 the writer was in San Francisco, and made the acquaintance of Captains Egery and Hinkley, who were the owners of the Pacific Foundry.  They being in need of some molding sand for small work, I consented to go to San Jose and get some for them.  I engaged Mr. Watts, who had a little schooner that would carry about six tons.  He was captain and I was super-cargo, and we made the trip down in about one day.  I found what I wanted on the banks of a slough, loaded the schooner and returned to San Francisco.  While in San Jose I came across two young ladies.  I had a very pleasant chat with them.  I learned later on that they were the daughters of Mr. Burnett, who became the first Governor of California.  I heard no more of them until 1910, when I was on my way to Monterey to attend the unveiling of the Sloat Monument.  I enquired for them of a man in the depot, and he told me that one of them was lying over there, dead (pointing in the direction), I could not help expressing my sorrow.

The captain landed me and my cargo in San Francisco in good shape, without any mishap on the voyage.  I delivered the cargo in good order and was well paid.

Early Realty Values.