Dr. Jan Teofil Strencel (Strentzel)

Arrived in 1849 by land as a doctor for a group of 135 people who for 13 months tried to reach San Francisco. Considered the "Father of California Horticulture". He later helped found the University of California campus at Davis and lectured at UC Berkeley. Lived in Martinez where his daughter subsequently lived with her husband John Muir.

Cpt. Rudoplph Korwin-Piotrowski

Spoke several languages, came to San Francisco in 1849. Founded the town of Sebastopol to celebrate the capture of the Sevastopol fortress by allied forces in the Crimean War. He joined Cpt. Kazimierz Bielawski in establishing the Polish Society of California.

Dr. Felix Wierzbicki

(1815-1860) Left his native Poland after participating in the doomed revolution of 1830. In America received a medical degree and practiced in Providence,Rhode Island. Enlisted in the Army when the Mexican War broke out and was sent to California. Left the Army after reaching the West and practiced medicine until the discovery of gold drew him to prospecting on Mokelumne Hill. Returned to San Francisco in 1849 where he spent the rest of his life. California as it is was the first English-language book printed in California. It is a valuable guide to California for prospective settlers that includes a survey of agriculture, hints on gold mining, a guide to San Francisco, and a chapter on California's Hispanic residents and Native American tribes. As a member of the prestigious Medical Society of the State of California, he published many articles on the history of medicine in California.

Cpt. Aleksander Zakrzewski

Arrived in 1849 as a military engineer and lithographer. Created the first map of San Francisco in 1851 a copy of which was etched in copper for the Foundation. Awarded the certificate of membership for the Committee of Vigilance

Cpt. Kazimierz Bielawski

Worked for 45 years as an engineer for the Southern Pacific railroad co-authored and published the Topographical and Railroad Map of the Central Part of California and Nevada, and designated a 4,373-foot Nwunlaiii near Mt.Hamilton as Copernicus Peak. First president of the Polish Society of California. 3,269 foot peak named after him in Los Gatos

Aleksander Holynski

Arrived in 1850 already as a US citizen. Authored and published a book in French: La Californie et les Routes Interoceaniques, and executed an early map of California.

General Wlodzimierz Krzyzanowski

Formed the 58th Regiment, New York Volunteers, fought in the Battle of Gettysburg, nominated as Commissioner of Alaska and worked for almost ten years at the U.S. Treasury in San Francisco.

Helena Modrzejewska (Modjeska)

Arrived in San Francisco after the Gold Rush. Famous Polish actress who wanted to try her talent on the American stage. Even though she knew no English within a year she learned in San Francisco the roles for "Adrienne Lecouvreur", "Juliet" and "Cleopatra". Her first performance was at the California theater and later in New York. She eventually became the greatest Shakespearian actress in America.

Ralph Modjeski

Son of Helena Modrzejewska, he was one of the world's best designers and builders of bridges, including the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, built in just three years in 1936.

Prince Andre Poniatowski

Great grandson of the brother of Poland's last king, Stanislaw August Poniatowski.. Arrived in San Francisco as an investor creating several important companies. With considerable effort brought electricity to the Bay Area by building hydroelectric power stations in the Sierras. Established with Thomas S. Bullock - The Sierra Railway Company and with William H. Crocker the Pacific Gas and Electric Company. Purchased 160-acre estate in Hillsborough and built the Tanforan Race Track in Burlingame.