The California Gold Rush. In 1848, carpenter James Marshall was working for
John (Johann) Sutter, found gold at Sutter’s Mill, Coloma, California on the
American river (about 36 miles northeast of Sacramento now the capital of
California). Word got out slowly at first, but by1849 the gold rush was on.
Those searching for the yellow metal were called forty-niners. By the way,
James Marshall and Sutter did not profit from the find.
According to research, the gold rush had a profound impact on the US territory. It dramatically changed the demographics. Before the discovery of gold, California’s population was approximately 160,000. The majority were Native American but by about 1855, more than 300,000 people had arrived. Most were Americans, though a number of settlers, and people searching for the gold, also came from South America, Europe and China. The Gold Rush was credited with hastening statehood for California in 1850.
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| Panning on the Mokelumne River California (1860 illustration) |
In the beginning, forty-niners were able to retrieve loose gold flakes and nuggets from the river with their pans in rivers and streams.
The panting is called Californio miner processing ore, c1862. The Oakland Museum, California.
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Later, commercial gold mining took over.
Between 1848 and 1855, an estimated 750 tons of gold were extracted in California — worth over $75 billion in 2025prices. A few days ago, gold was over 5,000.00 dollars an ounce. Want to do the calculation? As of this writing, it is $4,432.10 per ounce. How much would it be worth now?
Did you know the football team from San Francisco is called The 49ers?
My Sierra Creek Books often take place in the areas were gold and other precious metals and jewels were found. My Country Heart Sierra Creek Book 4 follows the adventures of a jewelry designer and her discoveries in Sierra Creek.
Excerpt: Her Country Heart Sierra Creek Series Book 1 of 4
After the
recent events, they all needed a day off. It was surprising Wyatt had suggested
the outing. She still hadn’t asked him what the land agents said because she
didn’t want to start a quarrel with him. Secretly, she hoped he’d been
disappointed in their response about the worth of the property and that’s why
he’d said nothing or because he’d considered her position and wanted to please
her. In any case, she was going to try honey rather than vinegar with him. So,
when he suggested a picnic, she quickly agreed.
It didn’t
take long to get to the river. The gently flowing body of water was lower than
she remembered but looked just as welcoming as it had when she was a kid.
“Most people
use the main swimming hole downstream.” He parked on a pullout next to the
river. “But I thought this would be a quiet place to pan for gold.”
“Perfect.”
She grabbed the picnic basket and walked toward the river.
Wyatt carried
the towels, a blanket and a cooler. He set out the blanket near a picnic table
and a barbeque pit.
Amy stood on
the edge of the river. She’d taken off her shorts but still wore her T-shirt.
She hesitated. Wyatt’s eyes were scanning her. Unconsciously, she tugged on the
back of her suit, all too aware how out of date and out of fashion she
appeared. Dressed like a middle-aged woman, she’d bought the suit when she was
pregnant with Bobby. She should have a bikini or at least a two-piece suit now.
She put a new swimsuit on her list. Unfortunately, with no funds, the list was
long and not likely to get shorter.
Wyatt tossed
his jeans and shirt on his towel next to the riverbank.
Stunned to
see him muscled, tanned and wearing only a dark racing Speedo, her mouth
opened.
“Mommy,
hurry. I want to swim.”
She yanked
off her T-shirt and threw it on her towel and dove into the water. The cold
water filled her big suit. It was just what she needed to cool her heated body
after seeing Wyatt.
With her arms
out she called, “Bobby, jump to me.”
Instead, he
waded into the water but squealed with delight.
“Come on, big
guy.” Wyatt grabbed him and held him in the water. “Use your arms. Bobby, kick.
We’ll be with your mother in no time.”
“I’m
swimming. Look.”
“Bobby,
that’s great. Come on just a little further.”
Unable to
wait, she stepped forward and grabbed her son into her arms. “You were super.”
“Is that
good?”
“Yeah, that’s
good.” She kissed him and turned to see Wyatt grinning at them.
“Amy, is your
leg all right?”
“Yeah. All
good.”
He nodded and
swam backstroke to the other side of the river and then with a fast freestyle
came back to their side of the river. “It’s been too long since I’ve been here.
I can watch Bobby if you want to swim to the other side.”
“Thanks.”
Afterward,
Wyatt took them farther up the river and, with an old black pan, he showed Bobby how
to look for gold.
Did you ever pan for gold? Please leave a comment.
If you go for suspense look for Reggi's Allder's Dangerous Series. Dangerous Moves is the latest. Dangerous Web is book one of 4
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