Libby's Cannery

Once a working cannery at the corner of Alhambra and Stockton Boulevards, the historic Libby's Cannery now houses state offices and a gym but is remembered for its role in Sacramento history.

The Libby's Cannery was founded in 1868 by three businessmen: A.A. Libby, Charles Libby, and Archibald McNeill. This complex, built between 1912 and 1918, includes nine brick buildings that were designed by architect A.C. Rhoades, Washington Miller, and their colleagues. Libby's started as a meat packing plant in Chicago, but eventually included fruits and vegetables as well. Libby's Cannery, the first to use iced shipments, helped Sacramento to gain the title of "canning center of the west" and has become an international company today.

Just east of downtown Sacramento, the Libby's Cannery was recently purchased and renovated by developer Mark Friedman, who added a 500-pound can to the front façade of the building. Mark Friedman went through rigorous obstacles to get the can approved by city officials. Once approved, it took months to build and is 11 feet tall and 7 feet in diameter.

The cannery is located 20 minutes driving distance south of the Sacramento International Airport and is convenient to other nearby tourist attractions: Sutter's Fort State Historic Park, Governor's Mansion State Historic Park, Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park, and the California State Capitol building.