On February 25, 1854, Sacramento became the Capital of California. The Sacramento County Courthouse building, constructed in 1851, at I and 7th Streets served as the Capitol building until that building was destroyed by fire on July 13, 1854, just after the legislative session ended. A new Capitol building was completed in the same location in time for the next session, however. California’s previous state capitals were in San Jose (1849-1851), Vallejo (January 5-16, 1852 and January 1853), and

Watch the Kincade Fire in Sonoma County, Calif. unfold from the view of a car.

Gold rush returns to California