Golden History Books
The Golden Corridor
ISBN: 0976697637
Jody & Ric Hornor
19th Century Books
c/o Electric Canvas
1001 Art Road, Pilot Hill, CA 95664
www.19thCentury.us/Gold
916.933.4490
Book Description
Historians, residents and tourists alike will find The Golden Corridor, a 202 page book that
chronicles the 19th Century in Northern California, a fun and educational read. Drawing from the
history books written in the 19th Century and punctuated with over 150 personal stories from
journals, diaries, and letters home, The Golden Corridor gives readers a first-person look at life
and times of early settlers. Through the 176 19th Century photographs included, readers are able
to see many of the places and events that are being described in the text.
Through these detailed and often heart-wrenching stories, you‘ll feel the joy, anguish, and
determination of the brave people who settled this land. You‘ll glimpse the humor and flare that
thrived through all the adversity the pioneers endured. You‘ll go from belly-laugh at their antics to
tears over their tragedies.
The Golden Corridor provides the most accessible photographic history of Northern California. It‘s
a fun, easy read with enough detail to satisfy serious historians, and enough fun to hook anyone
who picks it up!
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The Golden Corridor Reviews ISBN: 0976697637 Page 2 of 19
Editorial Reviews
I love books about history, especially local history. And, what makes them even better, is when
they have lots of authentic, historical pictures. This book has both and the pictures are not the
grainy scratched photos often found in history books. These have been carefully restored by Ric
Hornor and Placerville‘s Steve Crandell.
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The full title to this book is ―The Golden Corridor: 19 Century Northern California from San
Francisco to Lake Tahoe by the people who lived and made Northern California‘s history.‖ And,
that is a perfect description of what is contained between its covers.
Jody and Ric Hornor did a wonderful job of putting this book together. They don‘t claim to be
the authors: they are the researchers, compilers and editors. The real authors are the people who
wrote the letters, journals and books that they used as the text and the photographers who took
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the nearly 200 photographs that they have included in this book. In other words, this is 19
century history of Northern California written and photographed by those who made and lived it.
As a result, when reading it you will actually feel the joy, anguish and determination of the
brave people who settled this land of ours.
“The Golden Corridor” is beautifully organized, starting with a look at the origin of gold in
Northern California. This is followed by chapters on the European explorers, the actual discovery
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of gold, the Donner Party and then the towns and cities of 19 century Northern California,
including San Francisco, Folsom, Placerville, Auburn, Grass Valley and more.
To make reading the book even more enjoyable, the compilers have added visual clues for
additional information. A picture of a quill pen identifies text from personal letters; stories about
crime are identified by a hangman‘s noose; quotes from diaries and journals have a picture of
President Taft‘s personal journal beside them and call outs, text that is highlighted for emphasis,
appear with a magnifying glass.
If you are at all interested in the history of our part of California, this is the one book you need
to have. You will spend hours reading the writings of those who were here and delight in
the restored pictures of that era.
Doug Noble, Mountain Democrat, Placerville, California
______________________
―...educational and entertaining. Profusely illustrated...‖
Auburn Journal
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The Golden Corridor Reviews ISBN: 0976697637 Page 3 of 19
The Golden Corridor is an anthology of writings from journals, books, and letters written by
California's early settlers. Nineteenth century black-and-white photographs illustrate this amazing
collection of firsthand testimony, allowing the reader to see the same breathtaking sights
these hardy pioneers saw. Sidebars offer amusing quick vignettes from the era!
Enthusiastically recommended reading for anyone driven by personal curiosity or professional
research needs to gain insight as to what nineteenth century life in California was truly like.
Jim Cox, Midwest Book Reviews
______________________
"The Golden Corridor," compiled and edited by Jody and Ric Hornor (19th Century Books,
$21.95, 202 pages), is a captivating study of 19th century people who helped shape the
times. Gold miners, pioneers, emigrants and American Indians commingled for different reasons
to form what would become a melting pot of ideas and ethnicities, from San Francisco to Lake
Tahoe. The authors draw largely on journals and letters of the day. Adding depth are vintage
black-and-white photos.
Allen O. Pierleoni, Sacramento Bee
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(10/20/05) Fans of old photographs, like me, will love "The Golden Corridor." The book is filled
with amazing black and white photos that bring early Northern California to life. Because I'm
from Sacramento, my favorite ones are in Chapter 5: one of the State Capitol under construction -
minus its dome, and the other of Old Sacramento with residents rowing up and down the flooded
streets.
Each of the 10 chapters is devoted to a region, including one on "Nevada City, Grass Valley,
Auburn." Sidebars on each page give fascinating quotes from diaries, journals and
newspapers, as well as anecdotes. The main body of the text is difficult to follow in places,
such as Chapter 3. Focused on the Donner Party, it begins with a bracketed sentence,
announcing "[The words of survivor Eliza P. Donner Houghton]." At some point, though, it's clear
that the text switches to another voice - perhaps those of the editors - but exactly where is not
clear. The lack of attribution and quotation marks in places is somewhat off-putting to scholarly
types.
I am a lifelong resident of Northern California, and I learned from this book. For instance,
the estimated production of gold in California from 1848 to 1873 was $1,083,075,000. This was
quite a haul, even by today's standards. "The Golden Corridor" is well worth checking out.
Deborah Russell, The Union (Nevada County)
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The Golden Corridor Reviews ISBN: 0976697637 Page 4 of 19
The Golden Corridor
This is an interesting read on the history of Northern California in the words of the people who
pioneered and settled the regions between San Francisco and Lake Tahoe. I especially enjoyed
it because most of the book’s dialogue comes from letters and journals of the pioneers
themselves. These firsthand accounts give the reader insight into what it was like to travel
through and settle these then wild lands. Although poor choices were made in some of the fonts
used, making reading a bit cumbersome, the photos of the California Gold Rush are so
marvelous that I am willing to forgive the graphic designer. —Robert Ray
True West Magazine
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Reader Reviews from Amazon:
Fun stuff for tourists, September 6, 2005 Reviewer: Cathy (Michigan)
This book is great! The writing was just a hoot! It's the most fun history book I've ever found. We
used it as a guide while we traveled Northern California and it gave us great information and old
pictures to compare to today's version of N. California.
A Refreshing New Look at the old Gold Country , June 7, 2005 Reviewer: Gretta
(California)
I picked up The Golden Corridor, drawn by the photo's on the front cover, and the extensive
photo's within the text of the book. When I began reading, I was delighted to find that the text is
comprised of actual letters that the authors had compiled from the original settlers who made the
trek into the gold country. And the text isn't just random. The Hornors organized the letters into
chronological chapters that made reading this book anything but dry and tedious. Written in the
vernacular of the day, the writers come alive in the most colorful history of the gold rush days I've
ever read. An added benefit is the amazing collection of original photo's that have been restored,
and are featured throughout the book.
The Golden Corridor is NOT your average history book! It is a must read for anyone interested in
the history of the Gold Country, or even for the casual vacationer wanting to know more of the
land they're traveling through.
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The Golden Corridor Reviews ISBN: 0976697637 Page 5 of 19
Other Reader Reviews:
Just finished Golden Corridor, and I LOVED IT! I was in the camps, in the streams, in the snow,
on the train, on the dusty trails--I was everywhere this collection of period writings and the
incredible photos took us. A BIG BRAVO and a Masterful job to you and all those who
collaborated with you.
I love local history, and I just moved from Nevada County (15 years) to Alta/Dutch Flat, Placer
County. (I'm originally from Philadelphia, so it feels like I have been roaming around historic sites
and devouring artifacts & reproductions, photos, writings, especially Quaker, all my life!) I quickly
discovered the Museum in Dutch Flat (what a treasure!) and found your book there. I have had a
glorious time roaming through your pages accompanied by the maps I have collected (current or
period) of the area.
Since I am a map fanatic, the only thing I could recommend, if a second printing is in the works in
the future, add maps to your book. I would probably suggest both period with helpful current
maps to further inform the old map reader.
Thanks again for your wonderful book!
LindaLou Haines
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The Golden Quest Reviews ISBN: 0-9766976-4-5 Page 6 of 19
The Golden Quest
ISBN: 0-9766976-4-5
Jody & Ric Hornor
19th Century Books
c/o Electric Canvas
1001 Art Road, Pilot Hill, CA 95664
www.19thCentury.us/Gold
916.933.4490
Editorial Reviews
Several months ago I reviewed a book called ―The Golden Corridor.‖ It was written by the same
local authors as this one and, like this one, is a part of a set of several on which they are working.
The authors point out that these books are not written by them, but only compiled and edited. The
books are really a series of transcriptions from journals and letters of the time, so the real authors
are those people who experienced and witnessed our early history.
The first book was bout 19th Century Northern California from San Francisco to Lake Tahoe, told
by the people who lived and made Northern California‘s history. This book, which is equally
exciting, covers the Lake Tahoe basin and the early mining areas of Nevada, including the most
famous of them, the gold and silver mining area around Virginia City, often called the Comstock
Lode.
What makes these books wonderful is not only the words, but the abundance of authentic,
historical pictures. These are not the grainy scratched photos so often found in history books.
These have been carefully restored to look new by Ric Hornor and Placerville‘s Steve Crandall. I
personally know that the unrestored originals are muddy looking, gray photographs.
Like ―The Golden Corridor,‖ ―The Golden Quest‖ is beautifully organized, starting with a look at
El Dorado County – Lake Tahoe and the High Sierra. Then, into Nevada and Douglas County,
including the area around Genoa. This is followed by Ormsby County, where the Nevada capital
of Carson City is located and then Storey County the home of the famous Virginia City and Gold
Hill. After a chapter on Washoe County and Reno, there is a discussion of events not often
covered, the Indians and their wars in Nevada. The final chapter brings the reader back into
California, with a look at Nevada and Placer counties and the north end of Lake Tahoe.
Also, as in the previous book, the compilers have added visual clues for additional information. A
picture of a quill pen identifies text from personal letters; stories about crime are identified by a
hangman‘s noose; quotes from diaries and journals have a picture of President Taft‘s personal
journal beside them and call outs, text that is highlighted for emphasis, appears with a magnifying
glass.
…more…
The Golden Quest Reviews ISBN: 0-9766976-4-5 Page 7 of 19
“The Golden Quest” is a book that not only describes what went on, but makes you a part of it
by using the words and writings of the people who were there. Through these detailed and often
heart-wrenching stories, you‘ll feet the joy, anguish and determination of the brave people who
visited and settled the land. If you If you are at all interested in the history of early California and
Nevada, and the people, this is the one book you need to have. Like with the other book, you
will spend many enjoyable hours reading the writings of those who were there and delight
in the restored pictures of that era.
Mountain Democrat
______________________
―The Golden Quest chronicles life and times in the Lake Tahoe region during the 1800s.
Profusely illustrated with historic black and white photos and highly recommended for
personal, academic, and community library American History collections, The Golden Quest And
Nevada's Silver Heritage chronicles life and times in the Lake Tahoe region (including the
Western Mining districts of Nevada) during the 1800s. Incorporating more than 130 personal
stories from the men and women who lived and worked in the region, The Golden Quest And
Nevada's Silver Heritage is enhanced with more than 130 personal stories drawn from journals,
diaries, and letters. These stories and anecdotes showcase the humor, anguish, and
determination of the people who settled the country. From tragedy to triumph, from hijinks to
heroics, The Golden Quest And Nevada's Silver Heritage provides modern readers with a "you
are there" perspective on what life was really like so long ago with all of its joys and tragedies,
its hardships and successes. ―
Midwest Book Review
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The Golden Highway Volume I Reviews ISBN: 0-9766976-6-1 Page 8 of 19
The Golden Highway, Volume II
ISBN: 0-9766976-4-5
Jody & Ric Hornor
19th Century Books
c/o Electric Canvas
1001 Art Road, Pilot Hill, CA 95664
www.19thCentury.us/Gold
916.933.4490
Editorial Reviews
Early history of the Mother Lode is presented in great book
I love history. And, I really love the early history of the Mother Lode of California – the
communities that generally lie along the appropriately named Highway 49. Best of all if I find a
book that is well based on accurate information, well illustrated and also fun and
entertaining to read, that is a real plus. “The Golden Highway, Volume I,” is one of these
books.
Like many others, I write history, which is what historians do. I have been doing it for a dozen
years or more for this paper, which is the oldest continuously published newspaper in California.
I point out that historians write history, and rarely report it, because most do not search out the
original or earliest documents relating t the event or events about which they are writing,. What
happened then, and still happens, is that several people wrote about an event and many decades
later someone writing a new story or book about the subject finds just one of these accounts and
stops searching. Thus, it becomes ―truth.‖
Years later historians pick up this information and it continues to be the ―truth,‖ whether it is or
not. Unfortunately, most all other versions of the story are forgotten or simply ignored if
discovered. To report accurately, one must bypass these later writings and go directly to
the basic information or, better yet, the actual words of those who were there and
experienced what happened. That is what Jody and Ric Hornor have done in their previous
books and in this exciting book, “The Golden Highway Volume I – El Dorado, Placer,
Nevada and Sierra Counties.”
I‘ve been privileged to have had the opportunity to review a number of books on the subject of
early California and the West, including both of the two previous books by the Hornors, ―The
Golden Corridor‖ and The Golden Quest and Nevada‘s Silver Heritage.‖ What impressed me then
with both of these books, and now with this third book, is the length to which the Hornors have
gone to find and relate to the reader as accurate information as possible.
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The Golden Highway Volume I Reviews ISBN: 0-9766976-6-1 Page 9 of 19
As with their previous books, the Hornors have done a wonderful job of putting the book
together. They don‘t claim to be the authors; the modestly point out that they are but the
researchers, compilers and editors. They credit the very early photographers who took the
hundreds of vintage photographs. These they have either themselves or with the assistance of
Steve Crandell, a talented restorer of photographs in Placerville, painstakingly brought back to life
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and included to illustrate the books. In other words, this is 19 century history written and
photographed by those who made and lived it. As a result, when reading it you will become
involved and actually feel the joy, anguish and determination of the brave people who
settled this land and created the State of California.
―The Golden Highway, Volume I,‖ covers those counties that make up the northern part of the
Mother Lode along Highway 49: the counties of El Dorado, Placer, Nevada and Sierra. For ease
of reading and to maintain continuity, each county is given a separate chapter, starting with El
Dorado and working northward to Sierra County. The history of each of these counties and the
cities and towns within them generally served by Highway 49 is provided to the reader in the
Hornors‘ unique way – in a fun and interesting manner.
Like their books before, ―The Golden Highway Volume I‖ tells the history of a region in an
interesting and exciting way that involves the readers completely as if they were there, and with
carefully selected photographs from the era to complete the experience.
If you are interested in the history of California and its growth from simple beginnings into the
great state it is now; if you are interested in the adventure and intrigue of the early days of
California; or if you just enjoy reading well written and well thought out, interesting history books,
you too will love this book.
Mountain Democrat
______________________
"The Golden Highway: Highway 49" compiled by Jody and Ric Hornor. Feel the spirit of the hardy
and adventuresome miners and pioneers who settled California. This is a collection of
incredible stories found in actual historic documents and journals as well as hundreds of
restored photographs taken by some of the first photographers to document the settling of
California. Indexed, with a photo on every page, a must have for the local history buff.‖
The Union (Nevada County)
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The Golden Highway Volume I Reviews ISBN: 0-9766976-6-1 Page 10 of 19
Reader Reviews
[Personal note from reader] We are so enthusiastic about your series of historical books! We
are familiar with many books about California history and photos that show up repeatedly in
various books. Your research and photo restoration have resulted in many new photos not
before seen, and they are a delight. We love the oral histories placed on the sides of the
pages. Your format is readable and interesting. You've done a great job in searching out diaries,
letters and personal histories. We just can't say enough praise for your extensive research
and developing of old photos! Thank you! We have friends who will be thrilled, too, when they
receive the book as a Christmas present. Good luck with marketing these extraordinary books!
Marilyn & Wally Bragdon
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The Golden Highway Volume II Reviews ISBN: 0-9766976-7-X Page 11 of 19
The Golden Highway, Volume II
ISBN: 0-9766976-7-X
Jody & Ric Hornor
19th Century Books
c/o Electric Canvas
1001 Art Road, Pilot Hill, CA 95664
www.19thCentury.us/Gold
916.933.4490
Book takes a peek at the lives of Gold Rush pioneers
Ric and Jody Hornor of Pilot Hill have created a fascinating illusion of time travel in their new
book on the southern region of California's gold country.
"The Golden Highway: Highway 49, Volume II" (19th Century Books, $22.95) offers a glimpse of
Gold Rush history in Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne, Mariposa and Madera counties through the
eyes of people who lived it.
Instead of telling readers what happened from a 21st-century perspective, the Hornors
have compiled a narrative from words and photographs created in the 1800s.
With the exception of a brief introduction and photo captions, everything in the book is taken from
letters, diaries, newspapers and books written during the period. The Hornors, who worked on the
book 60 to 70 hours a week for six months, reviewed 5,000 pages of primary-source material to
find entries.
The result is history that crackles with immediacy. Snippets flow from the page like news
from yesterday's newspaper or letters from friends or relatives in the gold fields.
Stories are told in the language of the day and have not been edited to make them politically
correct. The same bias toward immigrant ethnic groups that was common during the Gold Rush,
for example, is reflected in the text.
By relying exclusively on primary-source material, the Hornors have humanized the
pioneers who left their mark on California's gold country.
Readers can vicariously experience the heartbreak and heroism of these individuals and are left
to wonder how they might have fared if fate had destined them to live in that colorful era.
The Fresno Bee
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The Golden Highway Volume II Reviews ISBN: 0-9766976-7-X Page 12 of 19
Hwy. 49 focus of second tome of Gold Rush series
"The Golden Highway, Highway 49, Volume I," reviewed here last November, has won a Bronze
medal from Independent Publishers Association. Volume II of the series - "The Golden Highway,
Highway 49, Volume II, Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne, Mariposa, and Madera Counties" -
released this June, covers the towns and counties along the southern portion of Highway 49
during the California Gold Rush.
Jody and Ric Hornor of 19th Century Books in nearby Pilot Hill continue their chronicle of the
Gold Rush years in the manner of their earlier work, with a compilation of the words and
photographs of the miners and others who lived, mined and died in their quest to "strike it rich."
Gleaned from documents and personal histories, the narrative comes alive in the language of
the 19th Century.
As the text and photographs point out, two absolutes in the search for gold were a dependable
source of water and an abundant supply of timberland. The foothills of the Sierra Nevada had
both, but the forests and rivers paid a high price. A comment from the book: "Even now, after the
lapse of a third of a century, and the desecration of land, the defilement of water-courses, and the
annihilation of forests, . . one may lament the work of the pioneers that has destroyed so much of
beauty while building up a great and glorious State."
The book is a banquet of information best enjoyed in several courses, county by county, along
Highway 49. The bibliography is a veritable gold mine of personal sources, and the
photographic restorations are superb. Visit www.19thCentury.us or call (800) 989-8112 for
more information.
The Union
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The Golden Highway Volume II Reviews ISBN: 0-9766976-7-X Page 13 of 19
Highway 49 history book released
The Golden Highway, Volume II, Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne, Mariposa, and Madera counties
has been released, just two weeks after Volume I, covering the northern portion of Highway 49,
won a bronze medal from the Independent Publishers Association, competing against 70 other
books in its category.
This is the third award for Publishers Ric and Jody Hornor of Electric Canvas on their ―Golden
History‖ series. The Golden Corridor also won an Independent Publishers award, and The
Sacramento Historical Society awarded the publishers for ―Excellence‖ in all of their historical
works.
This series of ―Golden History‖ books take a unique approach to the area‘s history. They are
compiled from dozens of 19th century original source documents, preserving the unique language
and style of each contributor. Compilation, versus rewriting history, which is done in most history
books, also eliminates errors in interpretation or facts that may be inadvertently introduced by
authors.
―The language of the 19th century pioneers and miners is much more colorful than today‘s
language,‖ said Jody Hornor. ―Whether it‘s Sir Henry conveying his disgust at spittoons . . . the
very sight of which invites discharge from an American mouth, or John Bidwell having a coyote‘s
―lights‖ for breakfast, these books reflect real events by the people who actually experienced
them.‖
Once the content is compiled, hundreds of carefully selected 19th century photographs are
restored and added, one on each page, to complete the reader‘s experience. The Hornors go to
great lengths to find photos at smaller archives and libraries that haven‘t been in the public‘s
view.
―Photo restoration is a lot like being an archeologist,‖ said Ric Hornor. ―When you clean off the
dirt and grime, fix the cracks and tears, and correct fading and discoloration, the discoveries are
interesting and rewarding, as well as looking great.‖
The Golden Highway, Volume II, is a 296-page book that chronicles the 19th century life along
the southern portion of Highway 49 (Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne, Mariposa and Madera
counties) and the cities, towns and areas that are served by Highway 49. The ―Golden History‖
books are available in most Raley‘s, book stores, gift shops, and museum stores, online at:
www.19thCentury.us or by calling (800) 989-8112.
Valley Springs News
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The Golden Hub, Sacramento Reviews ISBN: 0-9766976-8-8 Page 14 of 19
The Golden Hub, Sacramento
ISBN: 0-9766976-8-8
Jody & Ric Hornor
19th Century Books
c/o Electric Canvas
1001 Art Road, Pilot Hill, CA 95664
www.19thCentury.us/Gold
916.933.4490
The Golden Hub: Another gem from the Hornors
Mike Rafferty is the editor of the Mountain Democrat
The fifth in a series of ―Golden‖ history books has been out on the bookshelves. Jody and Ric
Hornor of Pilot Hill have teamed up on some entertaining local history books. The latest edition is
―The Golden Hub, Sacramento.‖ The subtitle includes Folsom, Fair Oaks, Galt, and Elk Grove.
The key to the value of the books is the photo restoration work by Ric Hornor, Jody handles the
copy and the book is edited by Paula Bowden.
The arrangement of the 312-page book invites the reader to browse, look at the pictures and
captions and read sections and sidebars. It isn‘t even necessary to read things in order.
Many of the sidebars are diary entries. The best ones and the most fascinating part of the book
are the diary entries from John Bidwell, after who Bidwell Park in Chico is names. He is diarist par
excellence, including dialog, quotes and fascinating little stories from his personal experience in
California before, during and after the Gold Rush and the Bear Flat Revolt.
Bidwell in 1844 was working for John Sutter at his Hock Farm when a Mexican working for him on
Hock Farm told him he had seen gold on the Bear River while on a trip to get back to his Indian
wife. ―Senor, I have made an important discovery; there surely is gold on the Bear River in the
mountains.‖
Pablo Guiterrez told Bidwell he needed a ―batea,‖ ―…I concluded it must be a complicated
machine,‖ Bidwell wrote. But it turned out to be a wooden bowl for panning the gold.
― ‗Pablo, where can you get it?‖. ―Down in Mexico,‘ he said. ―I will help pay your expenses if you
will go down and get one,‖ which he promised to do.― I said, ‗Pablo, say nothing to anybody else
about this gold discovery, and we will get the batea and find the fold.‘‖
Unfortunately the next diary excerpt has Guiterrez being used as a messenger between Sutter
and the Mexican governor of California. On the last trip he was sent to tell the governor ―we were
on the march to join him at Monterey. This time he was taken prisoner with our dispatches and
hanged to a tree, somewhere near the present town of Gilroy. That, of course, put an end to our
gold discovery, otherwise Pablo Guiterrez might have been the discoverer of gold instead of
Marshall.‖
The Golden Hub, Sacramento Reviews ISBN: 0-9766976-8-8 Page 15 of 19
The photos of Sutter‘s Fort in 1880 are fascinating, including a horse-drawn trolley carrying
passengers by it and a picnic of ladies with umbrellas by Sutter‘s Fort. Only one building
remained, but the Native Sons of the Golden West bought the property and reconstructed it in
1890-94 to about two-thirds of its original size.
The book also contains a photo of Nathan and Charles Ray, two black men associated with
Placerville. Charles Ray earned enough money in Placerville to buy his brother and wife out of
slavery and build a home in Sacramento.
The story of Sacramento shows clearly how it was a major transportation hub where ships
docked two deep for a mil along Front Street, bringing goods to the merchants sho supplied the
miners and shipped goods to outlying areas. The book is full of pictures of merchants‘ shop
interiors and exteriors.
Another entry by Bidwell notes that shipments of gold from California helped back up the
government bonds that financed the union side of the Civil War. ―California gold averted a total
collapse (of the bond market) and enabled a preserved Union to come forth from the great conflict
with only four billions in debt instead of a hundred billion. That hand of Providence so plainly seen
in the discovery of gold manifest in the time chosen for its accomplishment.‖
Perhaps Franklin Roosevelt made a mistake shutting down the gold mines as ain industry
―nonessential‖ to the war effort.
Another item of interest to me in the Golden Hub was the train depot in Fair Oaks shown in an
early 1900s photo.
―The railroad spur was off the Placerville line for the purpose of getting produce from Fair Oaks
and Orangevale to the eastern markets. That was the Sacramento Valley Railroad, the first
railroad in California.‖
The book is the fifth in a series produced by the Hornors. It is a quality publication. It can be found
at most Sacramento area Raley‘s, Bel Airs and national and independent book stores, including
the Placerville Newsstand.
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The Golden Hub, Sacramento Reviews ISBN: 0-9766976-8-8 Page 16 of 19
Between the Lines: It’s the Gold Rush – unalloyed
By Allen Pierleoni, Sacramento Bee, Monday Sept. 7, 2009
Let‘s recall the lasting significance of the California Gold Rush (1848-55) and how it shaped our
state and our nation.
Seeking riches, more than 3000,000 people converged here from all over the United States and
many foreign countries. Consequently, populations shifted, railroads were constructed, steamship
travel boomed, towns were built, cities (including San Francisco) were established, new
technologies were invented, agriculture took off and – directly related to all that – California
gained statehood in 1850.
Tragically, the environment has never recovered from the damage of mining.
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All of which reminds us that 19 Century Books in nearby Pilot Hill sells five titles related to the
Gold Rush. These portals into the uncensored past feature unedited, first-person narratives from
the pioneers and historians who lived in the era. They‘re compiled from ―primary-source
documents,‖ meaning newspaper accounts, letters, diaries and journals, and history books of the
day.
The newest title is ―The Golden Hub: Sacramento,‖ researched and compiled by Jody and Ric
Hornor, founders of the publishing company ($24.95, 312 pages with 280 photos). It‘s a chronicle
of ―the birth and development of Sacramento – the city and county,‖ including Folsom, Fair Oaks,
Elk Grove, Galt and other communities.
―Our books allow readers to relive the culture of the times, instead of just reading the general
information about those days that‘s found in traditional history books,‖ Jody Hornor said on the
phone this week. To order: (800) 989-8112 or www.19thcentury.us
The Golden Hub, Sacramento Reviews ISBN: 0-9766976-8-8 Page 17 of 19
New Sacramento history book released
By Rebecca Murphy of the Georgetown Gazette
―The Golden Hub – Sacramento‖ is a fabulous tome on the city of Sacramento and surrounding
communities. The new 312 page book chronicles the birth and development of both the city and
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county from Johann Sutter‘s 1839 New Helvetia and through the Gold Rush to the end of the 19
century.
Published by Electric Canvas, owned and operated by Ric and Jody Hornor of Pilot Hill, using the
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imprint of 19 Century Books, new gold has been found in the Mother Lode with this fifth book in
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their series focusing on 19 Century California.
―With all the new development and new people coming to the area, one of our biggest goals is to
help people learn about the area‘s rich past and encourage them to help protect the culture and
historic sites for future generations,‖ said Jody Hornor, one half of the husband-wife team that
produces the books.
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Unique in that they are a compilation of works written in the 19 century instead of a rewrite or
interpretation of history, the books provide an insight into that era through the eyes of those then
living.
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―The language of the 19 century pioneers and miners is much more colorful than today‘s
language,‖ said Hornor. ―Whether it‘s Sir Henry conveying his disgust at ―spittoons, the very sight
of which invites discharge from and American mouth,‖ or John Bidwell having a coyote‘s ―lights‘
for breakfast, tese books reflect actual events by the people who experienced them. The only
thing we write are the photo captions.‖
A restored photo on every page rounds out the reader‘s experience with a clear look at the
lifestyles of the time. Meticulously restored by Ric Hornor, the restoration process allows the
reader to discover aspects of the era that otherwise would never have been seen today. The use
of thick simi-glossy paper for each page, a bibliography of books, journals and experts, and a
specific photo index in the back of the publication are just a few of the enhancements used in the
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19 Century Books series. Anyone who enjoys ―seeing‖ history as well as reading about it will
thoroughly enjoy this book and the other four in the series.
―It takes us hundreds of hours of photo restoration time for each book,‖ said Ric. ―Photo
restoration is a lot like being an archeologist. When you clean off the dirt and grime, the
discoveries, things that couldn‘t be seen without restoration, are interesting and rewarding both to
myself and the reader.‖
The Golden Hub, Sacramento Reviews ISBN: 0-9766976-8-8 Page 18 of 19
Other elements of the books include sidebars on every page with anecdotes, crime stories, letters
from early settlers, and entries from the early pioneers‘ and miners‘ diaries and journals. Thee
also are articles from the early newspapers including the Sacramento Bee, the Union, and the
Folsom Telegraph highlighting the towns and townships such as Folsom, Fair Oaks, Elk Grove,
Galt, Rosemont, Arden, Florin, Carmichael, Citrus Heights, Antelope, and Oak Park, the very first
suburb of Sacramento..
Sections of the book are broken down into ―Before the Gold Rush,‖ ―The Discovery of Gold,‖
―Sacramento City,‖ ―Townships,‖ and Bibliography and Indes.‖ Chapters include specific
information regarding ―Sutter‘s Fort,‖ ―The Beginning of Sacramento,‖ ―The Squatter‘s Riots,‖
―Navigation,‖ ―Public Buildings,‖ ―Manufacturers,‖ ―Agriculture,‖ ―Railroads,‖ ―Sutter,‖ Brighton and
Center,‖ and American, Georgian, and Franklin,‖ with much more in between. The publication‘s
readability is beyond any other book of history.
―The Golden Hub – Sacramento‖ is the fifth book in the series. The first book was ―The Golden
Corridor,‖ which focused on the travel routes from San Francisco and Lake Tahoe (Highways 50
and 80); ―The Golden Quest,‖ which covered Lake Tahoe and the Comstock Lode; ―Highway 49
Volume I,‖ which covers El Dorado, Placer, Nevada and Sierra counties; and ―Hihway 49 Volume
II,‖ covering along Highway 49 including Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne, Mariposa and Madera
counties.
The quality and unique character of the books have received high praise from national and local
reviewers, and awards from the Independent Publisher‘s Association. ―The Golden Hub –
Sacramento‖ and the other tomes are available in most Sacramento area Raley‘s, BelAirs, major
and independent book stores, give shops and museum stores, online at www.19thcentury.us or
by calling (800) 989-8112.
The Golden History Books Page 19 of 19
About the Authors
With exception of the photo captions, this book is written by 19th Century historians with quotes
from journals, diaries, and letters home written by the early pioneers. Here is a brief look at Ric &
Jody Hornor, the "compilers" of the works.
Ric Hornor is a Sacramento native and graduate of CSUS. He went on to complete his Masters
of Fine Art (MFA) at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
As a fine artist, Ric has many corporate collectors of his work including: MCI International, ADP,
Trammel Crow, Sprint, Kaiser Permanente, RCA Global Communications, and the Sarnoff
Research Center, just to mention a few.
Ric's keen interest in new media led him to found NYC/SIGGRAPH in 1984, now the world‘s
largest computer graphics interest group.
He also taught new media at two highly prestigious universities: Pratt Institute, and the Center for
Media Arts. You may see the result of his teaching in many movie and TV show special effects as
some of his students have gone on to become the top special effects people in the industry.
Ric has received numerous honors and awards for his work.
Jody Hornor is the author of 5 books on marketing including the best seller, Power Marketing for
Small Business. Her books and educational programs have been endorsed by the US Chamber
of Commerce as well as many other organizations.
As a consultant, Jody has worked with hundreds of different clients over her 35+ year career. As
a professional speaker and author, Jody has educated thousands of people on the latest
marketing techniques.
Jody hosted a radio talk show in Sacramento and had a regular segment on a TV business show
as well.
Combining their skills for this endeavor, Jody is the primary researcher and compiler of the text.
She also handles business operations, sales and marketing. Ric uses his superb talent to restore
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the 19 century photographs in each of their books, often discovering historic elements that
would not have been seen without the restoration process.