In August 1839, John Sutter, arrived in the Sacramento area with a group of men, including ten Hawaiians. Soon after, Sutter became a Mexican citizen and received title to the El Sobrante Land Grant of 48,827 acres. He then established the trading colony and stockade of Sutter's Fort using labor from local tribes of Nisenan.

Sutter raised cattle, sheep and sold tallow and blankets to the indians and Spansh population. In 1847, after receiving 2,000 fruit trees, he started the agriculture industry in the Sacramento Valley.

In 1848, when gold was discovered by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, a large number of gold-seekers came to the area. Sutter lost his clain to the land and. For more than fifteen years, John Sutter petitioned Congress for restitution but little was done. He died in Washington D.C.