George H Baker

George Holbrook Baker, (1827-1906). Baker traveled to California in May of 1849 during the "gold rush." He was a trained artist having worked as an apprentice to a commercial publisher and as a student at the National Academy of Design in New York City. In California he tried his hand at many occupations, gold mining, running an express service and publishing. His passion for drawing quickly resurfaced and he is credited for producing several town plans including some of the earliest large views of Californian cities.