The finding aid of the George H. Baker Diary C058749
John Davis
Society of California Pioneers
05/08/2018
101 Montgomery Street, Suite 150
Presidio of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA 94129
pkeats@californiapioneers.org
Note
B-V-8f / B001632
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Society of California Pioneers
Title: George H. Baker Diary
creator:
Baker, Geo. H. (George Holbrook), 1827-1906
Identifier/Call Number: C058749
Physical Description:
1 folder
1 Bound journal
Date (inclusive): 1848-1849
Abstract: This file contains the hand written in ink journal of George H. Baker. Mr.. Baker created the record between 1848 and January
1849. The hard covered book is in good condition with the spine intact. The pages are off white in color and are also in good
condition. In this journal he writes about his time as a California Gold Hunter for the New England Pioneers and he discusses
the long journey from New England to California.
This file contains the hand written in ink journal of George H. Baker. Mr.. Baker created the record between 1848 and January
1849. The hard covered book is in good condition with the spine intact. The pages are off white in color and are also in good
condition. In this journal he writes about his time as a California Gold Hunter for the New England Pioneers and he discusses
the long journey from New England to California. He describes in great detail he journey South via railroad and steamship
to New Orleans. His party stays in that city momentarily and he describes it in great depth. Mr. Baker also describes his
crossing of the "Mexican Gulf" to the port city of Vera Cruz, Mexico, and on further to California where he would settle and
take up the printing and lithography business. The first eight pages of the volume are a double entry accounting of income
and expense commencing Sept 8,1847 through Dec 1, 1848. The balance of the journal describes the 1st leg of their journey
of the "New England Pioneers", 12 New England men going to California, from Boston to New Orleans to board a steamer for Vera
Cruz. They left Boston on Jan 8, 1848 and left New Orleans on January 30. The trip. The trip down the East Coast is an oddessy
consisting of travel by train, sail, stage, and river boat
G. H Baker joined the Gold Rush to California, arriving at San Francisco in May, 1849. His sketch Port of San Francisco, 1849"
was lithographed and published in the NY Tribune in August, 1849. From 1852 to 1862 Baker worked in Sacramento running several
merchandising businesses; he also edited and published two periodicals, continued to sketch (mostly mining scenes), and made
a series of woodcuts of California views. He drew and published a large and detailed lithograph of Sacramento as it looked
in 1857 (his account book listing subscribers and advertising costs is housed at the Soc. of Cal. Pioneers). He moved back
permanently to SF in 1862, establishing a lithography and publishing firm. Specialized in posters, advertising cards, views
of buildings, stock certificates, and maps. He did produce several views in those years.
Existence and Location of Originals
The Society of California Pioneers, 101 Montgomery St., Suite 150, The Presidio of San Francisco, San Francisco CA, 94129.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Mrs George Lilly (daughter) and Charles H. Baker (son), 1931
George H Baker Diary, 1848-1849, The Society of California Pioneers`
Collection open for research
There are no restrictions on access
The Society has 3 of Geo.H Bakers Diaries: C058749, covering the first leg of his journey from Boston to New Orleans in January
1849; C058750, covering painting in New England in 1848; C058751, covering his arrival in California his arrival in California
in May 1849 and his time in California until Aaugust 1850. The Society also has the Subscription Book for his Birds Eye view
of Sacramento, C058752. Finally the George Holbrook Papers, C057707
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Voyages to the Pacific coast
New England--History--19th century.
New Orleans (La.)
Frontier and pioneer life – California
Pioneers -- California -- History -- 19th century
Baker, Geo. H. (George Holbrook), 1827-1906
Paul, Edward A., New England Pioneers, Captain
Read, Charles F, New England Pioneers, Lieutenant
Gavett, Johnathan, New England Pioneers
Liscom, Charles
Gleason, C. Willard, New England Pioneers
Haskins, T Henry
Austin, Charles, New England Pioneers
Read, John L, New England Pioneers
Kittridge, Edward L, New England Pioneers
Fickett, James H, New England Pioneers
Gridley, Thomas M, New England Pioneers