Ten fun facts about Sacramento

1. The City That Reclaimed Its Title

Sacramento has a long and storied history as the capital of California. It was first chosen as the state capital in 1854, making it the sixth capital since California's statehood. It held the title until 1858, when it was replaced by Benicia. However, Sacramento reclaimed its status as the state capital in 1869, and has held the title ever since. This makes it the only city in California to have served as the state capital on two separate occasions.

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2. The Camella Capital of the World

Sacramento, the capital of California, is known by many unique nicknames. It is often referred to as "The Camella Capital of the World" due to its abundance of camellia flowers, which are native to the area. It is also known as "City of Trees" because of its lush greenery and abundance of trees. Lastly, it is nicknamed "The Big Tomato" due to its agricultural roots and the fact that it was once the largest tomato canning center in the world.

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3. Tunnels of A City's Unique History

Sacramento is a city with a unique history. In the late 1800s, the city was raised up to avoid flooding, and in the process, an extensive network of tunnels was built beneath the city's foundations. These tunnels are still in use today, providing a fascinating glimpse into the city's past and a reminder of the ingenuity of its founders.

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4. Haunted Two of America's Most Famous Ghost Locations

Sacramento is one of America's most haunted cities, with a number of spooky locations that have been the subject of ghost stories for generations. Two of the most famous haunted sites in the city are the Governor's Mansion and the California State Library. Both locations have been the source of numerous tales of paranormal activity, from mysterious noises to sightings of apparitions. Whether you believe in the supernatural or not, these two sites are sure to give you a chill.

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5. The Capitol Building's Historic Restoration

In 1976, Sacramento underwent the largest restoration project in U.S. history, with a $68 million renovation of the Capitol building. This ambitious project was a major undertaking, and the results were stunning. The Capitol building was completely transformed, with the addition of a new dome, a new west wing, and a new east wing. The renovation also included the installation of new marble floors, a new grand staircase, and a new rotunda. The Capitol building was restored to its original grandeur, and the project was a major success.

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6. Sacramento's Trees: A City Proud of its Natural Beauty

Sacramento is a city that takes its green spaces seriously; it is second only to Paris, France, in the number of trees per capita in the world. With over 200,000 trees, Sacramento has an impressive canopy of trees that provide shade and beauty to the city. The city has a commitment to preserving its green spaces, and it is evident in the number of trees that line the streets and parks. Sacramento is a city that takes pride in its natural beauty and is dedicated to preserving it for future generations.

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7. 12M Pounds of Almonds to Sacramento Daily

Sacramento is home to the world's largest almond processing plant, Blue Diamond. During the peak of harvest season, an astonishing 12 million pounds of almonds are delivered to the plant for processing every single day. This is an incredible feat, and it's no wonder that Blue Diamond is the world's largest almond processing plant.

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8. Low-lying City Vulnerable to the Effects of Climate Change

Sacramento, the capital of California, is situated at a surprisingly low elevation of just 17 feet above sea level. This is despite the fact that the city was raised by several feet in the mid-1800s in an effort to protect it from flooding. Despite this, Sacramento remains one of the lowest-lying cities in the United States, making it particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

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9. The Birthplace of the Pony Express

Sacramento is a city with a rich history, and is famously known as the birthplace of the Pony Express. Established in 1860, the Pony Express was a 1,980-mile mail delivery service that ran from Sacramento to St. Joseph, Missouri. This service was the first of its kind, and revolutionized the way mail was delivered in the United States. It was a major part of the city's history, and is still remembered today.

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10. Mark Twain in Reporting on the Wild West

In 1866, Mark Twain was hired as a special news correspondent for the Sacramento Union newspaper, a now-defunct publication. During his time in Sacramento, Twain reported on the city's wild west days, providing readers with vivid descriptions of the bustling city and its inhabitants. His time in Sacramento was a formative experience for Twain, and his writings from this period are still widely read today.

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