Numerous reports on the occurrence and mining of gold along the western side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains were written, and a number of participants later published accounts of their mining exploits. Mining camps and towns sprang up throughout the interior region, with towns of Sacramento and Stockton as the gateways to the mining areas. This arrival of thousands of “prospectors” transformed and accelerated the development of the territory of California (including its admission as the 31st state in 1850) within a few years. and departed via three routes:īy ship to Central America, followed by a land crossing at the Isthmus of Panama, and then another ship to San Francisco (three to five months in 1850).īy ship around Cape Horn in South America and on to San Francisco (five to eight months).īy travel westward across the plains from the U.S. Most began their journey in the Eastern U.S. Some made their fortunes, but many did not.

They borrowed money, mortgaged their property, and spent their life savings to make the arduous journey. Excitement at their financial prospects was compounded by a desire to get there as quickly as possible. and around the world traveled to California to seek their fortunes. Subsequent confirmation of the initial reports of the extent of the gold region set off a rush.Īdventurers from the U.S.

The news was first met with disbelief by those who doubted this valuable metal could just be picked up off the ground. The first published accounts of the find appeared in “The Californian,” a San Francisco newspapers, on March 15, 1848. Gold was discovered in California by James Marshall at Sutter’s sawmill on the South Fork of the American River near Coloma (36 miles northeast of Sacramento) on Jan.

Consumer reports best gold dredges