Historic Newspapers: Search Results

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., April 21, 1849  Page 2 has most of a column taken up with: "The Emigration to California" and: "The California Fever" and: "Government Expeditions to California" and: "More Overland California Companies". This is followed by most of a column headed: "The Mexican Route to California".
Then page 3 has most of a column with the: "Latest Reports From California". Another article: "Slaves For California".
Four pages, very nice condition.

SACRAMENTO UNION, California 1859  This is one of the earliest California newspapers we have the pleasure to offer. As might be imagined issues from the Gold Rush vicinity--just ten years after the start of the rush--are difficult to find. As perhaps you've noticed most of our California inventory is from the 1870's and 1880's.
This issue has a wealth of news of the day, not just from California but from all sections of the country. There is a wealth of advertisements as well many of…

THE SAN DIEGO UNION, California, Nov. 11, 1879  

* Rare & early from Southern California

The front page has two reports which are interesting to read some 140 years later: "The Future of Southern California" which notes near the beginning: "It has been customary in some quarters to underrate the southern counties of California. It has been urged that they are dried up regions...".
Also: "San Diego Harbor" has a wealth of information concerning it, and which would in future be a major factor in…

DAILY ALTA CALIFORNIA, San Francisco, June 3, 1867  The very first title in the Golden State was the "Californian" begun in 1846, followed the next year by the "California Star". These two titles merged and in 1849 the combined enterprise was called the "Alta California", becoming a daily in July. It became the first successful newspaper in California, lasting until 1891.
Page 2 has an article: "Something For California Tax-Payers to Think About"
Six pages with pages 1-4 of very large size…

VALLEJO DAILY INDEPENDENT, California, Nov. 29, 1873  

* Rare Old West publication

A quite scarce newspaper from this town in the northern portion of the San Francisco Bay. It was named after Don Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, the famed California general and statesman. He was a leading proponent of California's statehood and one of the first members of the California State Senate.
This newspaper existed for less than 2 years under this title, and only one institution had records of any holdings, all…

THE DAILY TIMES, San Bernardino, California,  Dec. 27, 1880  

* Wild Old West original 

An early newspaper from what is now known as the 'Inland Empire' in Southern California. Typical news and ads of the day from when it was still the Wild West.
Four pages, never bound nor trimmed, nice condition.

background: This 1880 edition of The Daily Times serves as a pristine topographical snapshot of San Bernardino during its gritty transition from an isolated frontier outpost to a burgeoning rail hub.…

SACRAMENTO DAILY UNION, California, November 5, 1868  Although known to all as the current capital of California, this city got its start thanks to the protection of Sutter's Fort, which was established by John Sutter in 1839. During the California Gold Rush, Sacramento was a major distribution point, a commercial and agricultural center, and a terminus for wagon trains, stagecoaches, riverboats, the telegraph, the Pony Express, and the First Transcontinental Railroad.
A great wealth of news…

DAILY REPUBLICAN, Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California, March 15, 1880  

* Rare Old West publication

An uncommon title from the North Bay and wine-growing area of Northern California. This is a volume 1 issue with a wide range of local & national news items and a great wealth of ads.
Four pages, a few small archival mends at the spine, a news agent's stamp in the masthead, nice condition.

Background: The March 15, 1880 issue of the Daily Republican from Santa Rosa, California, holds significant…

DAILY ALTA CALIFORNIA, San Francisco, May 29, 1851  The very first title in the Golden State was the "Californian" begun in 1846, followed the next year by the "California Star". These two titles merged, and in 1849 the combined enterprise was called the "Alta California", becoming a daily in July.
This is a volume 2 issue from just 8 months after statehood. It also became the first successful newspaper in California, lasting until 1891.
Included is a great wealth of illustrated ship ads,…

SAN FRANCISCO NEWS-LETTER & CALIFORNIA ADVERTISER, 1873  The subtitle in the masthead notes: "Devoted To The Leading Interests of California and the Pacific Coast". The content is varied and includes a wide range of ads as well.
An uncommon title with a displayable masthead featuring the seal of California, the seal of the city of San Francisco, and the seal of the county of Sacramento.
Complete in 16 pages, 9 1/2 by 12 inches, never bound nor trimmed, minor wear at the edges. The upper…

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., April 18, 1849  Most of the front page is taken up with the: "Speech of Mr. Palfrey On the Bill Creating a Territorial Government for Upper California" in the House of Rep.
Page 2 has: "Advice to California Emigrants" which has some fine content. Also on page 2 is: "Letters From Panama" taking over 2 columns with reports concerning those in Panama on their way to or from the gold fields of California.
Page 3 has: "California Emigrants at the…

DAILY ALTA CALIFORNIA, San Francisco, July 5, 1852  

* Very early Old West title (rare)
* California gold rush era
* Printed on "necessity paper"

This is a very early newspaper from California, just 14 months after statehood was achieved.
Page 1 contains news and ads, with almost the entirety of pages 2, 3 & 4 are taken up with advertisements. This reflects the tremendous growth of Northern California during the Gold Rush era.
This issue is particularly unusual in that it is printed on brown…

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Aug. 3, 1849  Page 2 has a simply terrific & very lengthy letter on California, taking nearly two columns it is headed: "A Mexican View Of California" "California Seen by a Mexican--Description of the Country--Its Physical, Agricultural, Commercial, and Mineralogical Characteristics".
This is perhaps the best description of California from such an early date. The photos show only portions.
Page 2 also has: "Great Britain and the Slave Trade"…

NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Dec. 23, 1848  The front page has several items on the California Gold Rush including: "California Adventurers" beginning: "The 'stream of human life' is now setting as irresistibly towards California...The gold attraction is so strong that few are willing to lose the time necessary to go by water round the cape or by the overland route..." & more.
Also: "The Gold Fever" has a letter beginning: "The gold fever, which is spreading like an epidemic…

THE DAILY PEOPLE'S CAUSE, Red Bluff, California, March 18, 1876  

* Rare old West publication

An interesting title from Northern California. Quite scarce as well, as we only have 3 issues. Various news of the day both local & national, with a wealth of advertisements as well.
Four pages, very nice condition.

background: The March 18, 1876, issue of the Daily People's Cause represents a rare snapshot of Red Bluff during its transformative year of incorporation, capturing the town’s…

SACRAMENTO DAILY UNION, Sacramento, California, February 24, 1868
 
* Old West original from California
* Uncommon Title

This 4 page newspaper has news of the day with several interesting advertisements.

With newspapers West of the Mississippi being very rare prior to 1900, here is an opportunity to get a issue from the old West back when cowboys, indians, saloons, gold miners & gunfights were often seen on a regular basis.

Articles in this issue include: "War in the President's…

THE VALLEY REVIEW, Lodi, California, December 13, 1888.
 
* Auburn California original 19th century
* Old West

This 4 page newspaper has news of the day with several interesting advertisements. With newspapers west of the Mississippi being very rare prior to 1900, here is an opportunity to get a issue from the Old West back when cowboys, Indians, saloons & gunfights were often seen on a regular basis. 

Early for California. This issue has little wear at the folds, otherwise in good…

ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Sept. 22, 1884 

* James W. Marshall - California gold fame

This title always had a wealth of typically Western-themed reports as well as ads.
Page 2 has: "Slain In A Saloon" "A Grandson of Henry Clay Shot by a Louisville Alderman" "Shot Through the Heart--Drunken Ruffians--A Rancher Killed--A Texan Murderer Arrested in Georgia" as well as: "A Desperado Brought to Bay" "Murdered With an Ax".
Page 5 has: "Gold In California" "James Wilson Marshall, Who First…

THE MOUNTAIN MESSENGER, Downieville, California, Dec. 21, 1878 

* Rare Old West title
* Gold mining town
* Sierra County

Downieville is a very small town at 3,000 ft. elevation in Northwestern California. It was founded in late 1849 during the California gold rush & was first known as "The Forks" for its location at the confluence of the Downie River and the North Fork of the Yuba River. It was soon renamed after Major William Downie, the town's founder, a Scotsman who led an…

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., April 25, 1849  Page 2 has nearly a full column on: "Bay of San Francisco & Dependent Country".
Page 3 has: "Overland Journey to California" "More California Gold" "Photography In A New Form" and: "A New California Enterprise".
Four pages, very nice condition.

THE MOUNTAIN MESSENGER, Downieville, California, August. 6, 1881  

* Rare Old West title
* Gold mining town
* Sierra County

Downieville is a very small town at 3,000 ft. elevation in Northwestern California. It was founded in late 1849 during the California gold rush & was first known as "The Forks" for its location at the confluence of the Downie River and the North Fork of the Yuba River. It was soon renamed after Major William Downie, the town's founder, a Scotsman who led an…

DAILY EVENING HERALD, Stockton, California, 1870  Stockton came into existence primarily due to the Gold Rush of the mid-19th century as was the case for many towns in Northern California. It is the county seat of San Joaquin County with a population of nearly 300,000 today.
During its early years, Stockton was known by several names, including "Tuleburg", "Fat City," and "Mudville". Captain Weber decided on "Stockton" in honor of Commodore Robert F. Stockton. Stockton was the first community…

CALIFORNIA EVENING REPUBLICAN, San Francisco, 1872  Northern California benefited by the migration westward by  the many in search of gold in the mid-19th century. This issue was published not long after that migration, and when westward travel was still very much a dangerous venture.
This four page issue has various news of the day and a wealth of ads--a few of which are illustrated--providing an interesting window into life in this part of California in the 1870's.
There are some minor…

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, Bakersfield, California, August 13, 1874 
 
* Rare Old West title 
* Kern County 

This 4 page newspaper has news of the day with several interesting advertisements. With newspapers West of the Mississippi being very rare prior to 1900, here is an opportunity to get a issue from the old West back when cowboys, Indians, saloons, gold miners & gunfights were often seen on a regular basis.

Very early for California. Nice condition.

MARYSVILLE DAILY APPEAL, California 1866  Marysville has a "rich" history relating to the California Gold Rush. During that era, the ranch which was later developed into the town of Marysville, was a popular landing for riverboats from San Francisco and Sacramento filled with miners on their way to the dig sites. One of the early developers had a wife named Mary. The town's name was chosen in deference to her, a survivor of the ill-fated Donner Party tragedy of 1847. Marysville prospered…

DAILY MORNING BULLETIN, San Diego, California, May 28, 1872

* Early San San Diego California 19th century periodical
* Wild Old West
 
This 4 page newspaper has news of the day with several interesting advertisements. With newspapers West of the Mississippi being very rare prior to 1900, here is an opportunity to get a issue from the old West back when cowboys, Indians, saloons, gold miners & gunfights were often seen on a regular basis.

Early for California. Few tiny binding holes…

THE NAPA REPORTER, Napa City, California, April 25, 1874 

* Rare old West title
* Wine country

 Although in the heart of the wine region, for which this city is famous today, its beginnings were centered more on the California Gold rush of 1849. This city became a refuge for miners during the first severe winter of mining & later became an important center for lumber & cattle ranches.
A typical mix of news of the day and advertisements, many with an Old West flavor.
Four pages, never…

SAN BERNARDINO DAILY COURIER, California, 1889  The city of San Bernardino is one of the oldest communities in the state of California, and in its present-day location, was not largely settled until 1851, after California became a state. 
A nice, four page issue from the late 19th century. Good condition.

WEEKLY TRINITY JOURNAL, Weaverville, California, Oct. 16, 1875  

* Rare old West publication

A rare issue from this town in Northwest California.
Weaverville is a historic California Gold Rush town. Located at the foot of the current Trinity Alps Wilderness Area, Weaverville was once home to approximately 2,000 Chinese gold miners and had its own Chinatown. Logging and tourism were the economic mainstays of Weaverville for many years. 
Complete in 4 pages, never bound nor trimmed,…

THE PIONEER, San Jose, California, Aug. 9, 1879  The masthead notes: "Devoted To The Interests Of The Pioneers of California And the Resources of the Golden State."
The masthead is one of the more graphic we have seen, featuring three vignettes: one of settlers traveling, one of a bear, and another of a detailed mining scene.  
The front page has part 8 of a continuing series: "Hoisting the American Flag at Monterey, Yerba Buena, Sonoma, Bodega, Sutter's Fort, San Jose and San Juan, by Order of…

WEEKLY TRINITY JOURNAL, Weaverville, California, Aug. 14, 1875  A rare issue from this town in Northwest California.
Weaverville is a historic California Gold Rush town. Located at the foot of the current Trinity Alps Wilderness Area, Weaverville was once home to approximately 2,000 Chinese gold miners and had its own Chinatown. Logging and tourism were the economic mainstays of Weaverville for many years. 
This issue is particularly unusual in that it is printed on yellow "necessity…

THE SAN DIEGO UNION, San Diego, California,  November 2, 1873 

* Uncommon title from the Old West 
* Early Southern California 

This 4 page newspaper has news of the day with several interesting advertisements. With newspapers West of the Mississippi being very rare prior to 1900, here is an opportunity to get a issue from the old West back when cowboys, Indians, saloons, gold miners & gunfights were often seen on a regular basis.

Very early for California. Some browning at the…

…

STOCKTON DAILY INDEPENDENT, California, 1880  Stockton was founded by Captain Charles Maria Weber in 1849 after he acquired Rancho Campo de los Franceses. The city is named after Robert F. Stockton, and it was the first community in California to have a name not of Spanish or Native American origin. The city is located on the San Joaquin River in the northern San Joaquin Valley.
Four pages, good condition.

SCOTT VALLEY NEWS, Fort Jones, California, April 30, 1892

* Rare old West publication
* Siskiyou County

 This small town has a population of just 839 and is located at the very top of California. It was once a military outpost--hence the name--protecting the various mining communities in the vicinity. It appears to be just the second issue of this title we have offered in our 47 years.
Eight pages, 11 by 15 inches, never bound nor trimmed, in great condition.

THE WORLD, San Diego, California, 1874 This 4 page newspaper has news of the day with several interesting advertisements. With newspapers West of the Mississippi being very rare prior to 1900, here is an opportunity to get a issue from the old West back when cowboys, Indians, saloons, gold miners & gunfights were often seen on a regular basis. Early for California.  
Little margin wear, otherwise in nice condition.
The photo is representative of the issue, you will receive a randomly dated…

SACRAMENTO DAILY UNION, California,  1872  An early newspaper from what is now the capital of California. Complete in four pages, good condition.

SAN JOSE DAILY PATRIOT, California, May 24, 1871 

In 1850 San Jose became just the 2nd incorporated city in California (Sacramento was first) & was on the Butterfield mail route. The ftpg. is mostly ads with news items & more ads inside, many of which are illustrated.
Page 2 has over a full column on the Woodhull, Claflin, & Col. Blood trial (and scandal)…

NEW YORK TIMES, May 15, 1874 

* Tiburcio Vasquez captured
* California bandido
* Los Angeles outlaw

The front page has a report of the capture of the infamous bandit Tiburcio Vasquez. Vasquez was a Mexican bandit who was active in California from as early as 1857 until his capture. The Vasquez Rocks, the steep, sloped rocks about 40 miles north of Los Angeles, were one of his many hideouts and received their name from him.
Near the top of the front page is the heading: "The Notorious…

WELDON & LEONARD'S REAL ESTATE CIRCULAR & PRICE LIST, San Francisco, California, March 1, 1876 

* Lick Observatory, Mount Hamilton founding

The ftpg. has: "Another Monument" which begins: "When James Lick executed his deed of gift, donating his immense property to various benevolent & scientific societies of this state, he provided that $750,000 should be expended in the construction and maintenance of an observatory..." which would become the now-famous Lick Observatory. Various details…

THE PLACER HERALD, Auburn, California, November 29, 1890
 
* Auburn California original 19th century...
* Old West...

This 8 page newspaper has news of the day with several interesting advertisements. With newspapers west of the Mississippi being very rare prior to 1900, here is an opportunity to get a issue from the Old West back when cowboys, Indians, saloons & gunfights were often seen on a regular basis. 

Very early for California.This issue has some staining and little wear at…

CALIFORNIA EVENING REPUBLICAN, San Francisco, CA, October 19, 1872. This 4 page newspaper has news of the day with several interesting advertisements. With newspapers West of the Mississippi being very rare prior to 1900, here is an opportunity to get a issue from the old West back when cowboys, indians, saloons, gold miners & gunfights were often seen on a regular basis. Very early for California. Nice condition.

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., April 19, 1849  

* California gold rush
* Hardships for 49ers

Page 3 has: "Return of Californians" which has two accounts, one beginning: "It is just beginning to be discovered that this going to California is not the holyday business it is generally represented to be...".
Four pages, very nice condition.

TRUCKEE REPUBLICAN, California, Oct. 27, 1877  

* Wild Old West era
* Rare publication

From this town at the "elbow" of California near the Nevada border at an elevation of 5800 ft. Historically well known for the Donner Party tragedy which happened nearby in 1846.
Four pages, nice condition.

PLACER HERALD, Auburn, California, 1890-1892

A fragile issue--must be handled carefully. An early paper from Northern California with various news of the day and a wealth of ads. An 8 page issue of folio-size, browned throughout with some edge chipping and edge tears, and mostly loose at the spine. Should be handled carefully. The issue shown is representative of the look and condition of what you will receive. Actual dates will vary within 1890-1892.

THE NAPA JOURNAL, Napa, California, April 3, 1884 

* Rare Old West publication
* Wine country

This is the first issue published, the volume 1, number 1 issue. Page 2 begins with: "Our Introduction" in which the publisher states the format of the newspaper. Much reporting from California & other news as well.
Four pages, various chipping at th3e margins, some margin tears, the front page is foxed.

TRUCKEE REPUBLICAN, California, March 24, 1875 

* Wild Old West 
* Uncommon publication

From this town at the "elbow" of California near the Nevada border at an elevation of 5800 ft. Historically well known for the Donner Party tragedy which happened nearby in 1846.
Four pages, some ink stains, never bound nor trimmed, minor margin teras, good condition.

NEVADA DAILY TRANSCRIPT, Nevada City, California,  Sept. 13, 1879  

* Rare Old west publication

This town (formerly known as Deer Creek Dry Diggins) was the most important mining town in California in the 1850's. It is situated close to the Nevada border a bit northwest of Lake Tahoe. The historic district today is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Four pages, archival mends at the blank spine, some older mends at margins, generally good condition.

SAN BENITO ADVANCE, Hollister, California, 1895  A nice & uncommon title from this Northern California agricultural town. Various local & national news reports of the day, plus a wealth of advertisements, several of which are illustrated.

TRUCKEE REPUBLICAN, California, Aug. 1, 1874  

* Wild Old West 
* Uncommon publication

From this town at the "elbow" of California near the Nevada border at an elevation of 5800 ft. Historically well known for the Donner Party tragedy which happened nearby in 1846.
Typical news items of the day with a great wealth of ads. One of the page 2 articles is: "A Trip To Death Valley".
Four pages, slightly irregular at the blank spine, nice condition.