THE DISCOVERY OF GOLD IN CALIFORNIA

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

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 San Francisco in 1848 and Sutter's Fort (known then as New Helvitia), before spreading out across the foothills and mountains of Northern California in search of gold.

VISITING COLOMA TODAY

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 basically a ghost town, but it's encompassed by Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park & contains over 20 historic buildings for you to enjoy, as well as a museum commemorating the discovery of gold & 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!

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!

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!

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