The Wittenbrock family collection documents generations of a Sacramento family from the gold-rush. A native of Germany, Rudolph Wittenbrock arrived in Sacramento with his wife, Elizabeth Boylston (or Beilstein) Wittenbrock via St. Louis in 1852 or 1853. Failed gold miners, Rudolph and his brother Henry were successful hops farmers and ranchers in what is now the Natomas area. Rudolph and Elizabeth had nine children. At one point, the Wittenbrocks owned the entire city block between J and K Streets and 18th and 19th Streets. The family home built in 1873 at 1800 J Street is still standing. Homes constructed for the grown Wittenbrock children on the block no longer exist. Rudolph and Elizabeth's only son, George F. Wittenbrock was a Deputy Sacramento Sheriff and County Treasurer. George and his wife, Minnie Noerteman, had five children; Alvin, George Rudolph, Violet, Ione, and Bernice. This family lived at 1808 J Street. Most materials in this collection pertain directly to these five siblings, their spouses, children, and grandchildren and include objects, photographic materials, and documents. The material dates from 1840 to 1999.

A native of Germany, Rudolph Wittenbrock arrived in Sacramento with his wife, Elizabeth Boylston (or Beilstein) Wittenbrock via St. Louis in 1852 or 1853. Failed gold miners, Rudolph and his brother Henry were successful hops farmers and ranchers in what is now the Natomas area.

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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.

The collection is open for research.