Baby Name: William

In September of 1850, California became the 31st state to enter the Union.

In September of 1925, to celebrate 75 years of statehood, the city of San Francisco hosted a week of festivities. Events included parades, concerts, banquets, balls, exhibitions, automobile races, athletic competitions, a fashion show, a beauty contest, and more.

Charmingly, the organizers of the Diamond Jubilee celebration also rounded up and honored about fifty of California’s “covered wagon babies” — individuals who’d been born in covered wagons en route to California during the pioneer era. A banquet was held for them on the 8th, and they were featured in the Admission Day parade on the 9th.

Among the “babies” were several who’d been named after their birthplaces:

• Willow Springs Shearer, born in a covered wagon in Willow Springs, Wyoming, on July 16, 1849.
• William Nebraska Winter, born in a covered wagon near the Platte River in Nebraska on May 12, 1853.
• Elijah Carson Hart, born in a covered wagon in Carson City, Nevada, on September 9, 1857.
• Deseret Moe, born in a covered wagon in Deseret, Utah, on September 22, 1862.
• James Carson Needham, born in a covered wagon in Carson City, Nevada, on September 17, 1864.
  • He went on to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives for seven successive terms (from 1899 to 1913).
• Truckee Nevada Steward, born in a covered wagon near the Truckee River in Nevada on September 23, 1869.
  • He was born several months after the completion of the first transcontinental railroad.

One of the other “babies” was born in a covered wagon at Sutter’s Fort (in Sacramento) in July of 1849. The gold miners there suggested that she be named Poppy, “for the glorious flower which carpets the hills and valleys of the state,” but her parents “decided that Celesta Ann was more to their liking and Celesta Ann it was.”

P.S. After the Jubilee, a state-wide “Covered Wagon Babies Club,” comprising well over 100 members was organized by J. C. Needham. Meetings were held annually, in September, for about a decade.

Sources:

• “Born in ‘Prairie Schooner’.” Visalia Daily Times 25 Jul. 1925: 2.
• “‘1849’ wagoner born near gate of Sutter Fort.” Oakland Tribune 31 Jul. 1925: 23.
• “‘Covered wagon’ baby’s career on desert thrilling.” Oakland Tribune 5 Aug. 1925: 36.
• “Former ‘Times’ owner was ‘covered-wagon’ baby, says dispatch.” Visalia Daily Times 14 Aug. 1925: 1.
• “Truckee Stewart covered wagon baby.” Winters Express 21 Aug. 1925: 2.
• “Admission Day Will Thrill Spectators at Jubilee Celebration.” Madera Mercury 3 Sept. 1925: 1.
• “Covered Wagon Babies meeting at convention.” Press Democrat 7 Sept. 1930: 11.
• Woods, Arnold. “Diamond Jubilee: A Closer Look.” OpenSFHistory 13 Sept. 2020.
• Find a Grave

Image: Adapted from Emigrants crossing the plains (LOC)