California Gold Rush
Sights to See
On January 24 1848, James Marshall discovered gold in the water at Sutter's Mill near the city of Coloma, California. Soon, gold fever struck San Francisco and other coastal towns when in May of 1848 when a storekeeper in Sutter Creek paraded his bottle of gold dust around town shouting “Gold, gold, gold in the American River!” Soon, thousands of gold hungry immigrants flocked to California from other parts of the United States and even from other countries. California's population grew substantially which sped up the process of California becoming the 31st state. The “49er’s,” as the participants would come to be known, left their jobs to spend long hours doing backbreaking labor obsessed with the idea of “striking it rich.” Boom towns sprung up then turned to abandoned ghost towns when the gold ran out causing the miners then the businesses to leave. Bodie California is an example of one of these ghost towns. Eventually, gold became more obsolete. The 49er’s took a gamble when coming to California. Some made a fortune while others remained penniless. Ultimately, some of the miners took to farming as a way of survival.
On January 24 1848, James Marshall discovered gold in the water at Sutter's Mill near the city of Coloma, California. Soon, gold fever struck San Francisco and other coastal towns when in May of 1848 when a storekeeper in Sutter Creek paraded his bottle of gold dust around town shouting “Gold, gold, gold in the American River!” Soon, thousands of gold hungry immigrants flocked to California from other parts of the United States and even from other countries. California's population grew substantially which sped up the process of California becoming the 31st state. The “49er’s,” as the participants would come to be known, left their jobs to spend long hours doing backbreaking labor obsessed with the idea of “striking it rich.” Boom towns sprung up then turned to abandoned ghost towns when the gold ran out causing the miners then the businesses to leave. Bodie California is an example of one of these ghost towns. Eventually, gold became more obsolete. The 49er’s took a gamble when coming to California. Some made a fortune while others remained penniless. Ultimately, some of the miners took to farming as a way of survival.
Map
Traveler Reviews
George Bonniwell, a “49er”- I left my wife in my home in Milwaukee order to come to California for gold. I joined a mining group. We woke early in the morning and worked long hours. We faced hunger and the cold. Eventually, I returned to my home empty handed and unsatisfied. The gold was harder to find as people crowded California. I wish I would have had this knowledge before leaving my home.
Samuel Brannan- The California Gold Rush was an opportunity for me to make money- not by digging for gold, but by selling supplies to the miners. My store was greatly successful selling about $5000 in goods to miners per day. I sold picks, mining pans, and shovels at an inflated price to make a huge profit. My store also sold food like coffee and bacon and other supplies such as tents, lanterns, and bedding. The Gold Rush would contribute to me becoming known as “The Richest Man in California.”
George Bonniwell, a “49er”- I left my wife in my home in Milwaukee order to come to California for gold. I joined a mining group. We woke early in the morning and worked long hours. We faced hunger and the cold. Eventually, I returned to my home empty handed and unsatisfied. The gold was harder to find as people crowded California. I wish I would have had this knowledge before leaving my home.
Samuel Brannan- The California Gold Rush was an opportunity for me to make money- not by digging for gold, but by selling supplies to the miners. My store was greatly successful selling about $5000 in goods to miners per day. I sold picks, mining pans, and shovels at an inflated price to make a huge profit. My store also sold food like coffee and bacon and other supplies such as tents, lanterns, and bedding. The Gold Rush would contribute to me becoming known as “The Richest Man in California.”
Photos from the Trip
Why you should visit
The Gold Rush brought a huge influx of people into California. People of all races and backgrounds poured into the state creating the diversity still seen today. Gold lured thousands of people west. The population increase helped California get its statehood.
The Gold Rush brought a huge influx of people into California. People of all races and backgrounds poured into the state creating the diversity still seen today. Gold lured thousands of people west. The population increase helped California get its statehood.