# @sachistorymuseum on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/C5eQ44cSR7A
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/76084708-sachistorymuseum-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/9312d27955.jpg
- **Posted:** 2024-04-07T19:59:44.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Sacramento History Museum (@sachistorymuseum) — https://gondola.cc/sachistorymuseum

## Caption

April 7, 1864 

On this day in 1864, Sacramento held its first camel race at the horserace track at Agricultural Park (20th to 22nd Streets and D to H Streets), where the Boulevard Park neighborhood is today. It was rumored to be the first camel race in the United States. Over a thousand people were reported to have attended the event to see the camels, also known as dromedaries. The race was advertised as a benefit event for O. W. Dealing, a poverty-stricken citizen in Sacramento. 

Ten camels were brought to Sacramento on April 2nd by Samuel McLaneghan, who purchased them at auction in Benicia from the United States military. The U.S. military attempted to use camels as pack animals in the American West, especially across desert terrain, but the animals were considered too uncooperative. McLaneghan hoped to use the camels in Virginia City to haul mining supplies. The stop in Sacramento was a way to make McLaneghan some traveling money. 

The hype of the upcoming race did meet expectations, despite having the race delayed over an hour. Needless to say, the public was more entertained by the mere sight of the animals, watching them run around the halftrack, and how uncooperative the camels were. Somehow with over a thousand people in attendance at fifty cents a ticket, the Sacramento Daily Union reported that the race generated only $180 in ticket sales. 

View of Agricultural Park from a Bird’s Eye View of Sacramento 1870 courtesy of the Center for Sacramento History. Advertisement for the race from the April 6, 1864 edition of the Sacramento Daily Union newspaper. 
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#TodayInHistory #OnThisDay #Sacramento #sacramentohistory #camels #californiahistory #midtownsac #sachistorymuseum

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## Tags

sacramentohistory, sacramento, todayinhistory, californiahistory, camels, onthisday, sachistorymuseum, midtownsac

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