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Museum of the City of San Francisco

The Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco: The Mexican American War

For Students 9th - 10th
The Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco displays the history of the Mexican-American War, including an explanation of border changes in the California and Mexico areas. It also discusses the idea of Manifest Destiny.
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Museum of the City of San Francisco

Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco: William Walker

For Students 9th - 10th
This is an in-depth site from the Museum of San Francisco covering the adventures of William Walker, including his conquering of Nicaragua.
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Museum of the City of San Francisco

Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco: The Diary of Johann August Sutter

For Students 9th - 10th
In an book by Douglas S. Watson published in 1932, you can read the introduction which tells about the life of Johann August Sutter, who emigrated to California, built a mill where gold was found, and suffered for that discovery....
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Museum of the City of San Francisco

Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco: California Before Gold Discovery

For Students 9th - 10th
From the "Century" magazine, an article from 1890 by James Bidwell who came to California in 1841.
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Museum of the City of San Francisco

Vmcsf: Panama Pacific International Exposition Map 1915

For Students 9th - 10th
A map of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco in 1915. Find out where it was built and what buildings are still standing.
Handout
Museum of the City of San Francisco

Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco: Johann Augustus Sutter

For Students 9th - 10th
This page contains a brief biography of gold rusher, John Sutter, from the book "Life in California before the Gold Discovery" by John Bidwell.
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Museum of the City of San Francisco

Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco: Driving the Last Spike

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides a short description of the development of the transcontinental railroad and the "Big Four" behind the construction. From the San Francisco News Letter of September 1925.
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Museum of the City of San Francisco

Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco: Ulysses S. Grant and the Gold Rush

For Students 9th - 10th
From Ulysses S. Grant's memoirs is this description of his 1852 trip to California across Panama and his stay in San Francisco.
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Museum of the City of San Francisco

Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco: Samuel Brannan's Bank

For Students 9th - 10th
This site contains a poster of a new bank started by Sam Brannen in San Francisco during the gold rush.
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Museum of the City of San Francisco

Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco: The Miners' Ten Commandments

For Students 9th - 10th
Written by James Hutchings in 1853, the ten commandments of miners show the life of the miner.
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Museum of the City of San Francisco

San Francisco Quakes From 1769 1994

For Students 9th - 10th
A chronological list and description of all earthquakes in the San Francisco area from 1769-1994.
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Museum of the City of San Francisco

Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco: The Miner's Song

For Students 9th - 10th
Published in "Hutching's California Magazine" in 1857 was a song expressing the hopes and dreams of those suffering from gold fever.
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Museum of the City of San Francisco

Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco: Ranch/mission Days Alta California

For Students 9th - 10th
An 1890 article in "Century Magazine" by Guadalupe Vallejo relates his understanding of Hispanic influences on ranches and missions that existed in California before it became a state.
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Museum of the City of San Francisco

Virtual Museum of San Francisco: Alvin Coffey, African American '49Er

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides biography of an African American 49er with first hand accounts.
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Museum of the City of San Francisco

Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco: Bloody Thursday Riots

For Students 9th - 10th
Article from the San Francisco News, July 3, 1934, reports on a union strike which occured in the San Fransico area. May be a bit violent for young students to read.
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Museum of the City of San Francisco

Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco: Steamer Day at the Post Office

For Students 9th - 10th
This page contains information about Steamer Day that took place in San Francisco in the late 1800s.
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Museum of the City of San Francisco

Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco: A Gold Rush Poem

For Students 9th - 10th
A poem written in England but certainly expressing the hopes and dreams of those seeking gold in California. Included in the San Francisco Business Directory of 1864-65.
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Museum of the City of San Francisco

Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco: When the Pony Express Was in Vogue

For Students 3rd - 8th
The Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco provides this article from the 1925 San Francisco Newsletter on the Pony Express, the first transcontinental U.S. Mail service.