California Historical Figures:
Adams, Ansel (1902-1984) A photographer and environmentalist known for his black-and-white landscape photos of Yosemite National Park Mr. Nussbaum.com, Encyclopedia of Biography, thefamouspeople.com
Autry, Gene (1907-1998) Known as "The Singing Cowboy," Autry appeared on movies, television, and radio, owned the Angels baseball team, and and bought the movie ranch that is now known as Melody Ranch here in Santa Clarita. GeneAutry.com, Biography, History Channel
Beckwourth, James (1709-1866) An African-American man who began life as a slave, but was freed and became a mountain man, fur trader, and explorer. He discovered the Beckwourth Pass through the Sierra Nevada. history.com, biography, Black History Now
Bidwell, John (1819-1900) Led one of the first emigrant parties to California along the trail that was named for him, founded Chico, CA John Bidwell facts, Bidwell Encyclopedia Britannica, Bidwell Mansion, Discovering John Bidwell
Black, Shirley Temple Famous child actress in the 1930's who became U.S. Ambassador to the United Nationsbiography, history.com, Nat'l Women's History Museum
Brannon, Sam (1819-1889) An entrepreneur who ran a store at Sutter's Fort, then started the Gold Rush by shouting out the secret of the discovery of gold on the streets of San Francisco
Burbank, Luther (1849-1926) Agricultural science pioneer known for developing many successful strains of fruits, flowers, grains, grasses, and vegetables
Chavez, Cesar (1927-1993) American farm worker, labor leader, and civil rights activist
Child, Julia (1912-2004) American chef, author, and television personality. She is known for bringing French food to the American public.
Clapp, Louise "Dame Shirley" (1819-1906) known for letters she wrote to her sister that described the California Gold Rush
deForce, Gordon, Laura (1838-1907) Second female lawyer in California. Fought for women to be able to practice any profession in California. Lodi News, Article,
Disney, Walt (1901-1966) Creator of Mickey Mouse and the Disneyland Theme Parks
Folz, Clara (1839-1934) America's first practicing female lawyer, pioneered the idea of the public defender Bio,Civil War Women
Fremont, John Charles (1813-1890) led expeditions west to California, was a major in the U.S. Army, and was the first candidate of the anti-slavery Republican Party to run for President of the U.S.
Hearst, William Randolph (1863-1951) built the U.S.'s largest chain of newspapers, was a congressman, and owned Hearst Castle
Hitchcock-Coit, Elizabeth "Lillie" (1843-1929) Volunteer firefighter in San Francisco San Francisco Virtual Museum, biography
Hopkins, Mark (1813-1878) Founded the New England Mining & Trading Company to sell groceries and other goods during the Gold Rush. Founded the Central Pacific Railroad as part of the Big Four.
Hoyt, Minerva Hamilton (1866-1945) Protected desert landscapes, led movement to make Joshua Tree a National Park National Park Service
Huerta, Dolores (1930-) Labor leader and civil rights activist who founded the National Farmworkers Association with Cesar Chavez
Huntington, Collis Potter (1821-1900) Railroad tycoon who began to make his fortune selling mining supplies during the Gold Rush
Jobs, Steve (1955-2011) Visionary inventor and entrepreneur known for Apple
Kelsey, Nancy (1823-1896) First woman to travel overland to California
Lange, Dorothea (1895-1964) Famous documentary photographer
Lucas, George (1944- ) Filmmaker and mastermind behind Star Wars
Maiman, Theodore (1927-2007) Invented the first working laser
Mason, Biddy (1818-1891) African American nurse who began as a slave, walked to California from Mississippi, and became a successful enterpreuner
Meyer, Louis B. (1884-1957) Founder of MGM Studios
Miller, Joaquin (1837-1913) Nicknamed the "Poet of the Sierras," Miller was a poet and frontiersman. He moved to California during the Gold Rush and spent a year living in a Modoc Indian village.
Morgan, Julia (1872-1957) The first woman architect in California, architect of Hearst Castle
Muir, John (1838-1914) A Scottish-American environmentalist , especially known for his time spent in the Sierra Nevada
Patton, George S. (1885-1945) One of the most successful combat generals in U.S. History. Was an officer in WWI and WWII.
Pickford, Mary (1892-1979) Silent film actress who helped form United Artists Pictures
Pico, Pio (1801-1894) The last governor of Alta California under Mexican rule
Pleasant, Mary Ellen (between 1814-17 to 1904) A black entrepreneur who worked on the Underground Railroad and used her fortune to fight for civil rights Mary Ellen Pleasant Website, SF Gate
Reagan, Ronald (1911-2004) An American politician and actor, 33rd Governor of California, 40th President of the U.S.
Ride, Sally (1951- ) American astrophysicist and first American woman in space
Riddle, Toby "Winema" (1848-1920) a Modoc Indian woman who was a negotiator for peace between the Modoc Indian tribe and the U.S. Army during the Modoc War New World Encyclopedia, National Archives
Ruiz, Bernarda (1802-1880) helped peacefully end the Mexican-American War L.A. Times, Eduplace
Stanford, Leland Merchant (1824-1893), President of the Southern Pacific and Central Pacific Railroads, founder of Stanford University
Steinbeck, John (1902-1968) Pulitzer-Prize winning author who set most of his works in Central and Southern California
Strauss, Levi (1829-1902) made his fortune making tents and blue jeans during the Gold Rush
Sutter, John (1803-1880) owner of Sutter's Fort, early California settler
Vallejo, Mariano Guadalupe (1807-1890) PBS The West Military leader and rancher in Mexican California
Wayne, John (1907-1979) Film actor, director, and producer known for westerns
Wilson, Luzena (1819-1902) California Gold Rush enterpreuner PBS American Experience, Memoirs as taken down by her daughter
Adams, Ansel (1902-1984) A photographer and environmentalist known for his black-and-white landscape photos of Yosemite National Park Mr. Nussbaum.com, Encyclopedia of Biography, thefamouspeople.com
Autry, Gene (1907-1998) Known as "The Singing Cowboy," Autry appeared on movies, television, and radio, owned the Angels baseball team, and and bought the movie ranch that is now known as Melody Ranch here in Santa Clarita. GeneAutry.com, Biography, History Channel
Beckwourth, James (1709-1866) An African-American man who began life as a slave, but was freed and became a mountain man, fur trader, and explorer. He discovered the Beckwourth Pass through the Sierra Nevada. history.com, biography, Black History Now
Bidwell, John (1819-1900) Led one of the first emigrant parties to California along the trail that was named for him, founded Chico, CA John Bidwell facts, Bidwell Encyclopedia Britannica, Bidwell Mansion, Discovering John Bidwell
Black, Shirley Temple Famous child actress in the 1930's who became U.S. Ambassador to the United Nationsbiography, history.com, Nat'l Women's History Museum
Brannon, Sam (1819-1889) An entrepreneur who ran a store at Sutter's Fort, then started the Gold Rush by shouting out the secret of the discovery of gold on the streets of San Francisco
Burbank, Luther (1849-1926) Agricultural science pioneer known for developing many successful strains of fruits, flowers, grains, grasses, and vegetables
Chavez, Cesar (1927-1993) American farm worker, labor leader, and civil rights activist
Child, Julia (1912-2004) American chef, author, and television personality. She is known for bringing French food to the American public.
Clapp, Louise "Dame Shirley" (1819-1906) known for letters she wrote to her sister that described the California Gold Rush
deForce, Gordon, Laura (1838-1907) Second female lawyer in California. Fought for women to be able to practice any profession in California. Lodi News, Article,
Disney, Walt (1901-1966) Creator of Mickey Mouse and the Disneyland Theme Parks
Folz, Clara (1839-1934) America's first practicing female lawyer, pioneered the idea of the public defender Bio,Civil War Women
Fremont, John Charles (1813-1890) led expeditions west to California, was a major in the U.S. Army, and was the first candidate of the anti-slavery Republican Party to run for President of the U.S.
Hearst, William Randolph (1863-1951) built the U.S.'s largest chain of newspapers, was a congressman, and owned Hearst Castle
Hitchcock-Coit, Elizabeth "Lillie" (1843-1929) Volunteer firefighter in San Francisco San Francisco Virtual Museum, biography
Hopkins, Mark (1813-1878) Founded the New England Mining & Trading Company to sell groceries and other goods during the Gold Rush. Founded the Central Pacific Railroad as part of the Big Four.
Hoyt, Minerva Hamilton (1866-1945) Protected desert landscapes, led movement to make Joshua Tree a National Park National Park Service
Huerta, Dolores (1930-) Labor leader and civil rights activist who founded the National Farmworkers Association with Cesar Chavez
Huntington, Collis Potter (1821-1900) Railroad tycoon who began to make his fortune selling mining supplies during the Gold Rush
Jobs, Steve (1955-2011) Visionary inventor and entrepreneur known for Apple
Kelsey, Nancy (1823-1896) First woman to travel overland to California
Lange, Dorothea (1895-1964) Famous documentary photographer
Lucas, George (1944- ) Filmmaker and mastermind behind Star Wars
Maiman, Theodore (1927-2007) Invented the first working laser
Mason, Biddy (1818-1891) African American nurse who began as a slave, walked to California from Mississippi, and became a successful enterpreuner
Meyer, Louis B. (1884-1957) Founder of MGM Studios
Miller, Joaquin (1837-1913) Nicknamed the "Poet of the Sierras," Miller was a poet and frontiersman. He moved to California during the Gold Rush and spent a year living in a Modoc Indian village.
Morgan, Julia (1872-1957) The first woman architect in California, architect of Hearst Castle
Muir, John (1838-1914) A Scottish-American environmentalist , especially known for his time spent in the Sierra Nevada
Patton, George S. (1885-1945) One of the most successful combat generals in U.S. History. Was an officer in WWI and WWII.
Pickford, Mary (1892-1979) Silent film actress who helped form United Artists Pictures
Pico, Pio (1801-1894) The last governor of Alta California under Mexican rule
Pleasant, Mary Ellen (between 1814-17 to 1904) A black entrepreneur who worked on the Underground Railroad and used her fortune to fight for civil rights Mary Ellen Pleasant Website, SF Gate
Reagan, Ronald (1911-2004) An American politician and actor, 33rd Governor of California, 40th President of the U.S.
Ride, Sally (1951- ) American astrophysicist and first American woman in space
Riddle, Toby "Winema" (1848-1920) a Modoc Indian woman who was a negotiator for peace between the Modoc Indian tribe and the U.S. Army during the Modoc War New World Encyclopedia, National Archives
Ruiz, Bernarda (1802-1880) helped peacefully end the Mexican-American War L.A. Times, Eduplace
Stanford, Leland Merchant (1824-1893), President of the Southern Pacific and Central Pacific Railroads, founder of Stanford University
Steinbeck, John (1902-1968) Pulitzer-Prize winning author who set most of his works in Central and Southern California
Strauss, Levi (1829-1902) made his fortune making tents and blue jeans during the Gold Rush
Sutter, John (1803-1880) owner of Sutter's Fort, early California settler
Vallejo, Mariano Guadalupe (1807-1890) PBS The West Military leader and rancher in Mexican California
Wayne, John (1907-1979) Film actor, director, and producer known for westerns
Wilson, Luzena (1819-1902) California Gold Rush enterpreuner PBS American Experience, Memoirs as taken down by her daughter