Historic Newspapers: Search Results

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Nov. 15, 1849  Page 3 has over a full column taken up with: "the California Convention" which has much reporting on the efforts towards creating a state constitution so California can join the Union.
Also on pg. 2: "Personal News From California" is a great & very detailed letter explaining a trip to California, led by Col. Fremont. Also: "The Pacific Mail" reports on the situation of getting mail to & from California, and: "Houses for

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, Dec. 10, 1849

• Monterey Convention
• California Statehood ?

Over half of page 2 is taken up with: "The News From California", much of it having to do with the constitutional convention as they work towards statehood. Included as well: "To The People of California" and: "Proclamation To the People of California". A great wealth of reporting on creating a constitution.
Page 3 has a brief article: "Returning Californians" which notes: "...The discouraging

NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Jan. 26, 1849  The bottom of page 3 has: "Movements For California" noting in part: "...company is being formed at Boston to visit the gold mines of California, the principal features of which are mutual benefit & comfort. They insist upon strict temperance and good moral principles...". The article carries over to page 4. 
The back page also has: "Fremont's Map of California" noting: "...invaluable to all who take the overland route to California, and

NILES' NATIONAL REGISTER, Baltimore, Sept. 26, 1846

• Commodore John D. Sloat
• Mexican-American War
• Claims California for U.S.
• Illinois Mormon War ending
• Nauvoo, Hancock County

Inside has a very historic article headed: "The Pacific Squadron - Commodore Sloat Takes Possession of California". The letter reports that Commodore Sloat has taken possession of California.
A few bits include: "...he left with a summons to the military commandant of Monterey to surrender the place forthwith to the arms of

THE NEW YORK TIMES, Feb. 19, 1972

• Capital punishment - death row executions banned
• California Supreme Court decision (1st report)
• Charles Manson and Sirhan Sirhan mention

The top of the front page has a one column heading: "CALIFORNIA COURT, IN 6-1 VOTE, BARS DEATH SENTENCES" with subhead. (see images) Mention of a few notable death row inmates that benefited by this decision that includes cult killings mastermind Charles Manson.
I suspect this to be a very rare item because there was really no

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.

THE ILLUSTRATED LONDON NEWS, England, May 5, 1888  This issue offers a magnificent glimpse into the rapid growth and natural beauty of the American West as viewed through a Victorian lens. 
The back page features four sketches: "California Sketches: Mammoth Trees; Rock and Mountain Scenery." One of the sketches is of the famous Wawona Redwood Tree", and what looks like a side view of Half-Dome overlooking Yosemite Valley (although this is not confirmed). Additional full-page illustrations

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Nov. 13, 1849

• California Gold Rush
• 49ers - mining - miners

Page 3 has a wealth of reporting from California including: "Important From California" which takes over a full column and deals with the efforts to create a constitution so they can join the Union. One paragraph begins: "A Bill of Rights precedes the Constitution, which, as adopted in committee of the whole, embraces  20 sections of the usual character of such provisions...".
Also: "The

NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Dec. 7, 1848

• Gold discovered in California
• Official government report
• Pre 49ers- Forty-Niners

Beginning on the front page and taking all of page 2 and most of page 3 is  the: "President's Annual Message" to the nation, in which is a rather lengthy & detailed report on the discovery of gold in California.
Although there were earlier newspaper reports of gold discovery, this was the first "official" announcement by the government and did much to cause many

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 which

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Feb. 2, 1849

• California gold rush
• Hardships for 49ers

Page 3 has: "For California" which reports of several ship heading to California. The back page has over half a column headed: "California--Gold Mines" which is a terrific letter relaying the situation in California at the time, at least that writer's telling of it. It begins: "The moral condition of the country was bad enough before the gold discoveries--it is now in a state of perfect chaos,

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 the

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 and

SAN BERNARDINO WEEKLY TIMES, California, Oct. 16 1880

• Wild Old West
• Rare publication

An early issue of this uncommon title from Southern California. It was named in 1810. Following the American conquest of California, the community was incorporated as a city in 1854. The city grew significantly in the late 19th century as a commercial hub at the crossroads between Southern California and the American Southwest. 
Four pages, never trimmed, news agent's stamp in an upper corner, nice condition.

DAILY ALTA CALIFORNIA, San Francisco, Feb. 13, 1852

• Very rare old West publication (early)
• Gold rush mining - miners - 49ers era
• Soon after statehood - joining the Union
• LARGE SIZED ISSUE - Measures 28 x 21 inches

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 3 issue from just 2

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,

SPRINGFIELD SUNDAY REPUBLICAN, June 26, 1949

• University of California Golden Bears
• Intercollegiate Rowing Regatta victory
• Hudson River - Poughkeepsie, New York

The front page of the sport's section has a nice banner headline: "CALIFORNIA CREW WINS POUGHKEEPSIE REGATTA" with subheads. (see images) First report coverage continues inside with two related photos. (see images)
Complete with 50+ pages, light toning and minor wear at the margins, generally nice.

Background: On June 25, 1949, a notable

THE OMAHA BEE-NEWS, Nebraska, March 11, 1933

• The Long Beach, California earthquake

This 12 page newspaper has a nice banner headline on the front page:  "EARTHQUAKE DEATH LIST GROWS!" with subheads and related photo with map (see photos).

Other news of the day throughout including various advertisements. Light browning with some margin wear and tear, but otherwise in good condition.

wikipedia notes: The Long Beach earthquake of 1933 took place on March 10, 1933 at 17:55 PST (March 11, 01:55

EVENING TRIBUNE, San Diego, May 19, 1913

• California Alien Land Law
• Governor Hiram Johnson signs
• Webb-Haney Act

The front page has a nice banner headline: "ALIEN LAND BILL IS SIGNED BY GOV. JOHNSON" with subheads. (see) Nice for display. Surprisingly this issue is in good condition being from the "wood pulp" era. Very hard to find issues that are not totally fragile from this era in paper.
Complete with 20 pages, two small library stamps within the masthead, irregular along the spine, generally

THE FLORIDA DISPATCH, Jacksonville, May 30, 1887  Noted in the masthead: "Official Organ Of The Florida Fruit Growers' Assoc. & the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Growers' Protective Assoc." with the content, and the ads, focused on such.
Inside includes an interesting report: "The Naval Orange" which notes in part: "...the general reader knows very little of this variety of the citrus family. Most of us have seen it only through a California fog...".
The navel orange comes from Brazil. Seedlings

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, Dec. 11, 1849

• California Republic for statehood ?
• Early Hawaii relations w/ America

Page 3 has: "California Matters" "The Revenue of California" and:  "Close of the Convention & Signing of the Constitution" being fundamental reports on California becoming a state. Also: "Commerce of San Francisco, with all of the above taking a full column.
Also on page 3 is: "Treaty With the Sandwich Islands" which would shortly result in the historic treaty of Dec.

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

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

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

FRANK LESLIE'S ILLUSTRATED, New York, Dec. 24, 1887  Among the various prints within is a page captioned: "Montana - A Frontier Military Post - Views At Fort Assiniboine, On Milk River" which six prints and an article.
Included is the "Supplement" issue which has a full page of 6 prints of: "Central California" focused on the agriculture of the Central Valley near Merced, Vacaville & Oroville. Also a very lengthy article: "Central & Northern California & Southern Oregon - Completion of the

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., July 19, 1852

• Emigrants travel to California

Page 3 has an article: "Mortality On The Plains" which reports on: "The mortality among emigrants to California by the overland route continues very large..." with some detail.
Also: "Intelligence From California takes over a full column and has subheads; "From the Mining Districts" "Casualties and Crime" "A Slave Case" "The Overland Immigration" "From Southern California" each with various details.

DAILY ALTA CALIFORNIA, San Francisco, Feb. 5, 1853

• Very early Old West title (rare)
• California gold rush era

An early California newspaper, just 4 years after the Gold Rush of 1849. It is formatted much like other newspapers of the day with various news of the day and a huge quantity of advertisements, several of which are illustrated.
The front page has: "Letters From the Mountains - California Gold Mining Reminiscences, No. 4"
Four pages, large folio size, nice condition. Folder size is for

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., May 28, 1849  Inside pages include: "Disturbances on the Isthmus" of Panama, which has much on problems concerning the many travelers going to & from California. Also: "California Railroad" which talks of an overland railroad to the West, which wouldn't happen until another 20 years.
Also: "From California and: "Later From Mexico & California"
Four pages, very nice condition.

BOSTON DAILY JOURNAL, Jan. 11, 1849  Page 2 has several Gold Rush reports under the heading: "California Items" including: "...number of passengers who have already sailed, or are on the point of sailing from this port for California, is 370...are now between 20 and 30 vessels at this port up for California...The state than $2,00,000 worth of the dust was at San Francisco...that excellent order prevails & there had been but two or three petty depredations since operations commenced in 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 wrapping

THE TIMES-PICAYUNE, New Orleans, Louisiana, March 4, 1938

• 1938 Los Angeles, California flood
• Nice headline for display

This 30 page newspaper has a nice banner headline on the front page: "CALIFORNIA FLOOD TOLL CLIMBS TO 124" with subheads that include: "PARALYZED FILM CITY STRUGGLES TO RESTORE ITS PUBLIC SERVICES" and more with large pictorial. (see)

Other news of the day throughout. Little spine wear, otherwise in good condition.

wikipedia notes: The Los Angeles Flood of 1938 or 1938 Los

THE DOLLAR NEWSPAPER, Philadelphia, May 30, 1849  Page 2 has an article headed: "California Gold - Very Late From California" which includes a letter noting in part: "The poorest man in this place can show from  $500 to $1500 in gold dust that he has gathered by his own hand in a month or so...No one with the least labor fines less than $15 to $20 per day..." and more. This is followed by a letter datelines: "Sutter's Fort, Upper California, Feb. 2, 1849" which includes: "...having been

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., March 24, 1849  Page 3 has: "Crossing The Isthmus" being a letter on the challenges of crossing at Panama to reach the gold fields of California.
This is followed by a similar report: "From Another California Emigrant" being a letter datelined at Acapulco, Mexico, concerning others journeying across the isthmus on the way to California. Also: "Trespass Of Foreigners In California".
Four pages, very nice condition.

BOSTON DAILY JOURNAL, Jan. 10, 1849

• California Gold Rush
• 49ers - mining - miners

The front page has: "Gold Region" noting in part: "...such astonishing news from California that they dare not publish it. If published the marvelous tale as to the length & breadth of the Gold Region would not be credited...Col. Fremont...acquainted with the existence of extensive 'gold findings' in California...resigned his commission...set off immediately for the mines...When all is known...of the gold region it

NEW YORK WEEKLY TRIBUNE, June 27, 1866

• Early wine industry in California

Nearly half of page 3 is taken up with a terrific & very detailed account of the state of California, headed: "Domestic Correspondence" "California" "Vineyards on the Pacific  Coast--Their Character & Extent--Artificial Irrigation--The Wine-Growing Capacity of California". A great & early account.
Eight pages, very nice condition.

BOSTON DAILY JOURNAL, Jan. 12, 1849 (misdated as Jan. 11)

• California Gold Rush
• 49ers - mining - miners

Page 2 has several nice reports from the California Gold Rush under the heading: "California Items", including: "...The gold fever at Charlestown, Va., has begot a scheme for a company of 50 to go to California at $250 each, which 25 most useful and respectable citizens have already signed..." with other items (see).
Four pages, damp staining to the bottom half, good condition.

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Aug. 9, 1849

• California gold rush

Page 3 has a report: "From Santa Fe and the Far West" which includes: "...large number of emigrants have left Santa Fe for California. Seven out of nine men belonging to parties destined for California...were killed. They were attacked...by 200 Apache Indians. The emigrants for California had principally passed Fort Kearny...A great many had died o the roads leading to the frontier, and the road sides were lined

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 right

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 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 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"

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.

THE NEW YORK TIMES, July 28, 1945

• USS California (BB-44) - Tennessee-class battleship
• Japanese kamikazes - Battle of Lingayen Gulf

The bottom of the front page has a two column heading: "Kamikaze Hits the California; Battleship Fights On; Losses 203". This is on the Japanese kamikaze attacks on the USS California during the Battle of Lingayen Gulf. Reporting on many disasters such as this were kept from the public, sometimes for many months, until the family members of the killed were all

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 identity as a

GLEASON'S PICTORIAL DRAWING-ROOM COMPANION, Boston, May 17, 1851  The front page shows: "Packet Ship Isaac Webb, of New York." Inside prints include: "Encounter with a Whale" "Race Course on Long Island" "Scene at the Revere House" "Castle Garden, New York" "Gen. Winfield Scott" and "Jenny Lind" which includes an article on her. She was promoted by P. T. Barnum as the "Swedish Nightingale" was was a huge sensation in America at the time. 
Also: "Giovanni Belletti" "Interior of Castle Garden,

GLEASON'S PICTORIAL DRAWING-ROOM COMPANION, Boston, May 17, 1851  The front page shows: "Packet Ship Isaac Webb, of New York." Inside prints include: "Encounter with a Whale" "Race Course on Long Island" "Scene at the Revere House" "Castle Garden, New York" "Gen. Winfield Scott" and "Jenny Lind" which includes an article on her. She was promoted by P. T. Barnum as the "Swedish Nightingale" was was a huge sensation in America at the time. 
Also: "Giovanni Belletti" "Interior of Castle Garden,

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Nov. 20, 1849  Page 3 has an article: "Nantucket Californians" which includes excerpts of letters from California, in part: "...I am not exactly sorry that I am here, but I wouldn't advise any of my friends to come...Some people must have given you very erroneous accounts from the diggings. The whole country is a barren place...I have  been...over 8 years in California & am yet unmarried. My friend...lately left for Scotland & I have given him a

HERALD EXPRESS--5th WAR EXTRA, Los Angeles, Dec. 25, 1941

• Battle off the California coast ?

The large headline announces: "SINK JAP SUB OFF CAL. COAST" and: "2nd Sub Bombed Near L.A." with various subheads. There was much paranoia early in WWII that California would be a focus of a Japanese attack, hence this headline which would likely only be found in a California newspaper.
The front leaf only, a little irregular along the left margin, nice for display as such.

THE ILLUSTRATED LONDON NEWS, England, Jan. 29, 1853  An inside page has: "Photographs From California" which includes three prints, captioned: "Industry Bar" "Sicard, On the Yuba" and "Gold Washing on the Yuba" with related text on the California Gold Rush.
It is rare to find periodicals with illustrations of the on-going California Gold Rush.
Complete in 24 pages with the "Supplement" issue attached. Very nice condition.

THE ILLUSTRATED LONDON NEWS, England, March 29, 1862  The front page has a print: "Armstrong Guns Packed on Sleighs in the Ordnance  Yard, St. John New Brunswick, in Readiness to be Taken Overland to Canada".  
Among the prints within are two more prints on: "Reinforcements for Canada...". Also a full page print: "Breaking Up of the Ice at New York: A View from the East River"; a full page: "The Civil War In America - Confederate Prisoners in Camp Georgia, Roanoke Island". Also an early print