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California Before the Gold Rush
Before the discovery of gold, California was scarcely populated. -
The First General Store Opens
The first general store opens at Sutter's Fort, near present-day Sacramento. The store was opened by Samuel Brannan, a Mormon leader. -
Gold is Dicovered
While building a lumber mill for John Sutter, James W. Marshall finds gold in the American River. -
News of the Discovery Spreads
The Californian reports on the discovery of gold. News of the gold discovery travels east, sparking the attention of the country. -
Gold is Found in San Francisco
Gold is dicovered in the American River up near San Francisco. Samuel Brannan runs through the streets of San Francisco shouting "Gold, gold, gold from the American River!" Men from all over rush to the American River in hopes of finding gold. -
The President Confirms the News
United States' President, James K. Polk, confirms the discovery of gold in California. This ignites a mass migration to California in hopes of finding gold and becoming rich. -
49ers Flock to California
90,000 migrants rush to California in hopes of striking it rich. These people, known as 49ers, flocked to the goldmines in search of gold. -
California is Thriving
In 1850, $41 million worth of gold has been mined from California land. San Francisco's population has grown, resulting in a population of more than 30,000 people. -
Gold on the Decline
Gold begins to become more difficult to find. Miners are earning less money, and some migratnts begin to leave the goldfields. -
Hydraulic Mining is Invented
A new mining technique, Hydraulic mining, is invented. This technique uses high-powered water to break down rocks and land forms in search of gold. Hydraulic mining was invented to help miners find gold since the goldfields were drying up. This technique caused a lot of damage to the land.
