City of Sacramento
City Council - 2PM Report
915 I Street Sacramento, CA 95814
www.cityofsacramento.org
File ID: 2024-00915 4/30/2024 Consent Item 4.
Approval of Name Change for Pioneer Park on J Street in Old Sacramento File ID: 2024-00915
Location: 120 J Street, Sacramento California 95814,District 4, Represented by Councilmember Valenzuela
Recommendation: Pass a Motion authorizing the name change of Pioneer Park on J Street in Old Sacramento to Mary Gregory Park.
Contact: Marcia Eymann, City Historian (916) 808-5960, [email protected], Convention and Cultural Services
Presenter: None.
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Plot books showing ownership
Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: The Center for Sacramento History (CSH), the official repository for the City of Sacramento and Sacramento County’s historical records, is requesting authorization to change the name of Pioneer Park, located on J Street between Front Street and Second Street, to Mary Gregory Park. Gregory, an early Sacramento businesswoman, owned the land that is now the park, among other properties in Old Sacramento. The contributions made by Gregory and other women in establishing the city of Sacramento have generally been overlooked by the historic record of the Gold Rush era in Sacramento. By renaming the park for Mary Gregory, the city is taking an important step in recognizing the contributions of women in the economic, social, and political development of the area.
In 1850 Sacramento, men outnumbered women as much as 10 to 1, and history has long credited men for the development of the city. This interpretation leaves out the important parts that women of all nationalities played in that development. Many women like Mary Gregory stepped beyond their roles as wives, mothers, caregivers, and homemakers to start businesses, acquire land, and become politically engaged, shaping their communities in the process. Old Sacramento (a National Historic Landmark District) plays a key role in uncovering the stories of these women through the buildings
File ID: 2024-00915 4/30/2024 Consent Item 4.
and businesses they built and defining their contributions to the development of the city.
Mary Eugenie Gregory (1838-1898), a native of England, and her husband, French-born Julius Gregory (1826-1871) are first recorded in the United States in New Orleans, where Julius worked as a cook. Ater moving to San Francisco in 1851, Julius ran a hotel and restaurant before the couple settled in Sacramento. By 1857, they were running a business at 126 J Street selling all types of produce and local products. By 1860, the Gregorys’ assets were valued at $15,000 (over $490,000 in 2024) and by 1870, they had expanded their business to two stores.
Julius died in 1871, after which Mary took over operation of the business and proved herself a shrewd businesswoman. That same year, she bought the building next door to her at 128 J Street and expanded her store. In 1883, she bought four lots on Second Street between I and J streets and razed all existing structures to build a large three-story building on the site. She rented the building to Hall, Luhrs & Company and worked with them to ship California products across the United States with the aid of the Transcontinental Railroad. Gregory developed many other properties in Sacramento, some $24,275 worth (approximately $770,000 in 2024) in 1886 alone.
Policy Considerations: Old Sacramento Historic District is the City of Sacramento’s most visited location. Old Sacramento is a National Historic Landmark district established at the highest level of significance. As the caretaker of this historic district, it is the City’s responsibility to tell not just the general history of the area, but to live up to its own DEI policies and include the history of all of its residents, both past and present.
City Council approved Resolution 2008-112 on February 26, 2008, which adopted a process to apply consistent principles and procedures for naming of city facilities. The CSH has followed the “City of Sacramento Facility Naming Process” for the renaming of Pioneer Park to Mary Gregory Park by:
- Giving it a name of historical significance to the park and the Old Sacramento Historic District - Mary Gregory was a major economic contributor to the development of the City of Sacramento and her business was located next door to the park site. Mary passed away on May 29, 1898 and is buried in the Old City Cemetery.
- There has been in depth research conducted by CSH staff to ensure the character of an individual and family.
- The renaming was vetted through the Old Sacramento Management. - In the near future we are hoping to add interpretive signage regarding the naming and why. - The Mayor’s office and Council Member Valenzula’s office have approved the name change.
Economic Impacts: Not applicable.
Environmental Considerations: Not applicable.
File ID: 2024-00915 4/30/2024 Consent Item 4.
Sustainability: Not applicable.
Commission/Committee Action: Not applicable.
Rationale for Recommendation: The name change is consistent with the city’s Facility Naming Policy and Procedures and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policy, expanding the interpretation of Old Sacramento to include women. In order to be inclusive, it is our responsibility to incorporate stories of all of Sacramento’s residents outside traditional classrooms and beyond the pages of textbooks.
Financial Considerations: There is a small cost to changing the signage and adding interpretation to the site.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.
Background: Founded in 1953, CSH is funded by the City and the County of Sacramento and is the official repository and research center for City and County historic collections. These collections are held in the public trust and reflect the many aspects of the social, political, geographic, and cultural history of the Sacramento region. It is through these collections that we can expand our understanding of the past and apply it to the present.
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