The Old Sacramento Citizens and Merchants Association collectively with the city of Sacramento, sought to preserve the historic integrity and commercial interest of the Old Sacramento historic district. The collection was donated by local businessman and association historian, William Atwell, in 2011. The collection contains correspondence related to the association and city entities, monthly newsletters and bulletins, event related materials, association election materials, and artifacts. The collection ranges in dates from 1970 to 2004 with the bulk of material from 1975 to the mid 1990s. The materials reflect the business practices of the association, yearly promotional events, merchant concerns, and coordination with the city of Sacramento to preserve the district and promote as a cohesive merchant area.

William Atwell served as the Old Sacramento Citizens and Merchants Association historian from the 1970s to the 1990s. A participating merchant in Old Sacramento, Atwell owned Mother Lode Company Leather. The association sought to work with the City of Sacramento, property owners, and merchants to preserve and promote the area as both a historic district, and thriving commercial area. The association published a monthly newsletter and held administrative meetings with a set of bylaws and elected officers. In the spirit of the historic area, candidates ran campaigns based on Old Sacramento ties to the Gold Rush with stage names and non traditional titles such as, Sheriff or Madam. Yearly sponsored events also played a vital role in the promotion of local businesses. The association often used the districts proximity to the river, and Old West themes to showcase annual events, many of which are still held today.

7 linear feet (7 boxes)

All requests to publish or quote from private collections held by the Center for Sacramento History (CSH) must be submitted in writing to csh@cityofsacramento.org. Permission for publication is given on behalf of CSH as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the patron. No permission is necessary to publish or quote from public records.

Collection is open for research use.