Who was the Swiss immigrant that ran a large fort in Sacramento where gold was discovered?

The Swiss immigrant who ran a large fort in Sacramento where gold was discovered is Johann Sutter. Sutter is a significant figure in California history, known for establishing Sutter's Fort in the early 1840s. His fort became a central hub for trade and a crucial stopping point for settlers moving west during the California Gold Rush.

The discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill in 1848, which was very near his fort, dramatically changed the course of California's history and contributed to the massive influx of people seeking fortune in the new state. This event set the stage for the Gold Rush, which accelerated California's admission into the United States and led to rapid economic and population growth.

Other figures mentioned, such as Lansford Hastings and John C. Fremont, played roles in the westward expansion and the California Trail but are not associated with the discovery of gold at Sutter's Fort. Mariano Vallejo was a prominent Californio military leader and landowner but did not have a direct connection to the gold discovery at Sutter's Fort.