Sutter's
Fort,
called New Helvetia by Sutter, was a destination for pioneers
headed
toward California.
In the summer
of 1840, Sutter, using both his workers and
local Indians, began building what would become an adobe
fort. The walls were 2.5 feet thick and 15-18 feet high.
The compound was 320 feet long. Sutter had quarters for
some of his workers, a bakery, blanket factory, blacksmith
shop,
carpenter shop and other workshops within the fort. After
the discovery of Gold Sutter's workers deserted and headed
off to make their riches digging for gold. By 1860, all
that remained was his house, known today as the Central
Building.
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