John Sutter was a Swiss immigrant who played a significant role in the early history of California. He is best known for establishing Sutter's Fort in 1839, which served as a trading post and a refuge for settlers. Sutter's Fort became a central hub for commerce and communication during the westward expansion of the United States. In 1848, while working on his mill near Coloma, California, gold was discovered at his site, leading to the California Gold Rush. This event dramatically changed the region's demographics and economy, but Sutter himself faced financial difficulties as a result. His legacy remains tied to the early days of California's development.