Discovery of Gold

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DISCOVER THE ADVENTURE
THE DISCOVERY OF GOLD
IN CALIFORNIA

COLOMA AND MARSHALL GOLD DISCOVERY
STATE HISTORIC PARK

The discovery of gold in California was an event that rocked the
world and changed the shape of a nation! And it happened in the most unlikely way!

For your hotel needs when you're visiting California Gold Rush country, go to HotelsCombined:

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SUTTER'S MILL

Sutter's Mill

The Coloma Valley, along the South Fork of the American River, is where James Marshall was instructed to build the lumber mill that John Sutter desperately needed to continue the expansion of the empire he was building in what was then the Mexican territory known as Alta California.

Unbeknownst to either Sutter or Marshall, their site choice was to change the world as they knew it and ultimately spoil their plans for an agricultural settlement.

The reason? The discovery of gold in the
mill's tailrace!

It wasn't long before Sutter's own workers
had abandoned their posts at his various enterprises to head for the hills to find gold. It's a bit difficult to build an empire without any staff!

In the end, as many as 300,000 people invaded the sleepy
settlements of 1848 San Francisco and New Helvitia (Sutter's Fort), before spreading out across the foothills and mountains of Northern California in search of gold, bringing the influx of civilization and rapid growth on their coattails!

VISITING COLOMA TODAY

The Old Bekeart's Gun Shop
For more Coloma photos, see our Facebook page

The town that grew up around Sutter's lumber mill was christened Coloma, an adulterated version of the Nisenan Indian word for the valley - Cullumah.

Today, Coloma is a ghost town, but it's encompassed by Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park and contains over 20 historic buildings for you to enjoy, as well as a museum commemorating the discovery of gold and the peoples who shaped the Coloma Valley.

It's not hard to imagine yourself back in the days of the 49ers as you explore the Park! Visit the life-sized replica of Sutter's Mill, meander around and through the historic buildings, study the historic gold mining equipment, and try your hand at panning for gold in the American River!

Mexican Arrastre for
Crushing Quartz Rock

Participate in the daily interpretive programs at the sawmill during
the summer, or plan your visit to coincide with one of the Live History Days that occur throughout the year, or come participate in the very special activities that are always planned around the January 24th anniversary of James Marshall's discovery of gold!

Diorama of Gold Discovery;
Photos on this page by Suzi Rosenberg

Spend the day, have a picnic lunch, pan for gold - and enjoy a little piece of California's Gold Rush history!

Want to learn more about the Gold Rush? Keep reading!

Going to California
Are you interest in how the 49ers got to California?

The Gold Rush Trail
Follow in the footsteps of the gold-seekers of 1849 - after they found their way to California.

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