The collection consists of bound copies of the Alta California newspaper from 1851 to 1888, with just a few months of issues missing. The newspaper is searchable at cdnc.ucr.edu.

The Alta California, also known as the Daily Alta California, was the first daily newspaper in California. It was published in San Francisco under the Alta California name from 1849 to 1891. The newspaper was founded as the California Star in 1847 by Samuel Brannan. Brannan sold it to Edward Kemble in 1848, who combined it with the Californian newspaper, calling it the Star and Californian. It was changed to the daily Alta California in January 1849 after it was acquired by Robert Semple.

12 Linear Feet (85 volumes)

All requests to publish or quote from private manuscripts 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.