Learn the story of Ancil Hoffman, namesake of the Sacramento County park, via stories and historic photos taken from Wicked Sacramento, a local history book by William Burg.
Learn the story of Ancil Hoffman, namesake of the Sacramento County park, and the people of Sacramento's West End, via stories and historic photos taken from Wicked Sacramento, a local history book by William Burg.
Many residents of Sacramento County recognize the name Ancil Hoffman from the county park and golf course that bears his name, but don't know the whole story of his life as a boxer, nightclub owner, boxing manager, and real estate developer.
Born in 1884 in Illinois, Hoffman spent most of his life in Sacramento. Short of stature but tough and ambitious, Hoffman's youth was spent as an athlete, playing baseball and boxing, but got his first taste of business by selling cast-off ice from Southern Pacific refrigerator cars to local saloons.
As an adult, he hung up his boxing gloves to operate his own saloons, and was among the first to introduce the exciting new musical form called "jazz" to white audiences in Sacramento. When Prohibition closed his saloons, he shifted to boxing management, first mentoring Chinese-American boxer George Washington Lee before discovering his best known fighter, heavyweight champion Max Baer. In the tumultuous world of the West End and beyond, Hoffman also fought against injustice and intolerance.
After retiring from boxing management, he was called to serve on the County Board of Supervisors. His vision for Sacramento and its suburbs was based on similar growth of other California cities, where rural farms and orchards were transformed into verdant suburban developments.
Taken from the pages of his latest book Wicked Sacramento, historian William Burg will share stories and historic photos of the life and times of Ancil Hoffman, including his connection to Fair Oaks, the community he called home later in life.
AGE GROUP: | Older Adults | Adults |
EVENT TYPE: | Entertainment | Classes & Workshops | Authors & Speakers |
Today's hours
We're open 10:00AM to 6:00PM
| Mon, Mar 31 | Closed |
| Tue, Apr 01 | 10:00AM to 6:00PM |
| Wed, Apr 02 | 10:00AM to 6:00PM |
| Thu, Apr 03 | 10:00AM to 6:00PM |
| Fri, Apr 04 | 10:00AM to 6:00PM |
| Sat, Apr 05 | 10:00AM to 6:00PM |
| Sun, Apr 06 | Closed |
Next to Fair Oaks Park, the Fair Oaks Library is located on Fair Oaks Blvd. This library has a Library of Things collection, 2 electric vehicle charging stations, and reservable meeting room.
