History and Culture

In the early 1850s when “Old” Sacramento was “new,” and California was still very young, a group of immigrants settled in what is known as the “Riverside” or ‘Pocket” area of Sacramento. These early settlers were attracted by the fertile farmland, their common language, religion and culture, and a common heritage. These pioneers were Portuguese–Americans.

The Portuguese always have played a very important role in California’s history, but because they were an often poor, cultural and religious minority, they were largely ignored and forgotten in California’s history books.

This area was originally farmland. Consequently, many of the Portuguese immigrants who came to Sacramento either worked in the area or purchased land and built homesteads, thus, continuing their cultural practices of farming the land and operating dairy farms.