April 15, 1870 On this day in 1870, the California State Board of Health was founded by Dr. Thomas Muldrup Logan. It was the first public health administration in California and Logan became the first “State Health Officer.” The Fratt Building at Second and K Streets, which was the office and residence of Dr. Logan, served as the office of the State Board of Health until the office was completed at the State Capitol building. Dr. Logan came to California in 1849. Upon his arrival in Sacramento in 1850, he saw a need for medical practitioners amongst the merchants and miners in the new city. On October 24, 1850, Dr. Thomas Logan reported 7 cases of cholera to the Sacramento City Council, but the council and the newspapers tried to dissuade people from thinking it was a concern. A few days later, Logan brought the issue of an impending cholera epidemic again to the city council and was taken a bit more seriously. After 20 days, around 800-1,000 people (roughly 10% of the city’s popula...