Abstract
What is the history of the public squares which were reserved by John A. Sutter, Jr., in the planning of Sacramento’s grid? What is the significance of each public square in the Central City’s history, and the influence each has had on its respective neighborhood? Sources of data include primary and secondary resources: government documents and correspondence; books; landscape designs and inventory reports; personal correspondence and notes; newspaper and journal articles; historic and modern maps; photographs; thesis and other academic manuscripts; and local resource depositories and agencies including the Center for Sacramento History, the University Library and Archives at California State University, Sacramento, the Sacramento Room at the Sacramento Public Library, and the Department of Parks and Recreation, City of Sacramento. The public squares located in Sacramento’s Central City, individually and collectively, contribute to the history and culture of Sacramento. Since 1849, these public squares evolved with their respective neighborhoods, and functioned as parks used by the residents of Sacramento. The existing public squares, nine out of the original ten, are significant contributions to the historic integrity of Sacramento’s early parks and cityhood.