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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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Handout
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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Graphic
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.
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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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Handout
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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Website
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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Article
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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Article
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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Article
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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Handout
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.