Pioneer Families: The Early Settlers Who Helped Found St. Helena
St. Helena’s early immigration wave, from 1850-1870, was driven by the Gold Rush.
People came from Eastern Europe, Germany, England and France and the United Kingdom. They also came from Mexico, Latin American countries and China.
They fled economic hardship following famine or Europe’s political upheaval. There were limited opportunities in the Midwest and eastern parts of the country, where they were unable to buy land. They knew about California’s demand for cheap labor in the railroad, mining and agriculture industries.
They were lured by the reports of California’s booming economy and the prospect of striking it rich in the mines
They brought their skills from their homelands; they were stone masons, farmers, merchants, vintners, etc. They endured long, dangerous journeys by wagon train or steamship. It took a wagon train six months to cross the plains; in a good day, they'd travel 12 miles.
They may or may not have struck it rich, but they recognized opportunities in the Napa Valley. They got married, raised their families and began building an infrastructure.
We’ve profiled a few of these pioneer families here, but there are many others. Buildings and streets bear their names, testaments to their contributions to the St. Helena community.