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In This Section... Before the World Rushed In Juan Bautista de Anza Jedidiah Smith John Sutter buys Fort Ross John Bidwell John C. Fremont Kit Carson, Fremont's Guide Donner Party Ranch and Mission Days Ranch and Mission Days, part 2 Joaquin Miller Mexican Period 1821-1846 Rancho Era Experience 1820-1848 Mission Era 1769-1820

John Bidwell

First American to bring settlers across the Sierras to California in 1841. John Bidwell organized the Western Emigration Society and lead the first wagon train of pioneers across the Rockies, a party of 69 adults and children who divided into two groups after crossing South Pass in the Rockies. One group heads north into Oregon, while the other, led by Bidwell, continues west to California, suffering desperate hardship and near starvation before arriving in Sacramento, where Bidwell finds work with John Sutter.


John Bidwell, early days

On the early California Settlers

On the Gold Before the Gold

Meets John C Fremont

On the Bear Flag Revolt