The Coronado Historical Association is excited to invite you to a unique look at the life of Claus Spreckels, told by award-winning author Sandra E. Bonura.

Join us as we delve into the story of someone facing impossible odds to rise from grinding poverty to enormous wealth. After emigrating from his homeland of Germany to the United States with only seventy-five cents in his pocket, Claus Spreckels built a sugar empire and became one of the richest Americans in history alongside John D. Rockefeller, Warren Buffett, and Bill Gates.

The indomitable Spreckels was a colorful and complicated character on both sides of the Pacific. A kingpin in the development of the Hawai‘i-California sugarcane industry, he wielded a clenched fist over Hawai‘i’s economy for nearly two decades after occupying a position of unrivaled power and political influence with the Hawaiian monarchy, while also advancing major technology developments on the islands.

Sandra E. Bonura discusses the rags-to-riches story of Spreckels’s role in the development of the sugarcane industry in the American West and across the Pacific. Harshly criticized by his enemies for ruthless business tactics but loved by his employees, he was unapologetic in his quest for wealth, asserting “Spreckels’s success is California’s success.” However, his single-minded determination resulted in the legendary family quarrels.

Dr. Bonura’s book, The Sugar King of California will be available for purchase.