1850 - January 21, the French newspaper "Le Californien" was established
in San Francisco
1851 - in Mokelumne Hill, there was a violent conflict, names the “French
War” between French and American gold miners
1852 - The French newspaper "L' Echo du Pacifique" established (San
Francisco)
By 1853, there were an estimated 28,000 French in California.
1853 - Alcatraz light hourse fitted with latest revolving light from France
1853 - Lafayette Hook & Ladder Co. No. 2, organized by Frenchmen in San
Francisco and modelled after Paris fire companies (June 1).
1855 - French semi-weekly paper "Le Phare" established in San Francisco
(June 22).
1858 - In San Francisco, a French Hospital on Brannan St. opened (March 15).
1859 - French ice vender, Damien Marchessault, elected Mayor of Los Angeles
. He would be reelected as Mayor in 1861, 62, 63, 64 and 67. In 1865 and 1866
- it was another Frenchman, Joseph Mascarel, who was elected mayor of Los Angeles.
In 1860, about 9% of the Los Angeles population was French
1863 - Damien Marchessault built Los Angeles' first water distributing system with Charles Lepaon
Toulumne County has a rich history of French immigration
For more information on Toulumne County, go to http://www.tchistory.org/