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California Before the Gold Rush
California is home to about 7,000 Californios (Mexican citizens), 150,000 Indians, and about 900 Americans. -
Gold!
Gold is discovered near Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. Read more about the discovery of gold: January 24, 1848 -
The Californian
The Californian newspaper in San Francisco reports for the first time on the discovery of gold. Link to Californian Newspaper March 15, 1848: -
Leaving San Francisco
Almost the entire male population of San Francisco leaves the city in a rush to seek gold. However few knew the hard work that awaited them mining for gold. Read more about mining for gold: Mining for Gold -
President Confirms Gold in California
President James K. Polk announces the discovery of gold in California. About 90,000 fortune seekers, called "forty-niners," travel to California from the all over the United States, Mexico, South America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. Read more about the life of a 49er: Life of a 49er -
Population on the Rise
San Francisco's population, less than 1,000 at the time of the gold discovery at Sutter's Mill, is now estimated to exceed 30,000. Read about how people traveled to California during the Gold Rush: The Overland Trail Coming by Sea -
California Statehood
California becomes the 31st state of the United States, as a part of the Compromise of 1850. The state's history was largely shaped by the many ethnicities who came to California in search of economic opportunity. Read more about California Statehood: California Becomes A State -
Foreign Migration
Thousands of foreigners join the gold rush. It is said that one in every four gold seekers was Chinese. Read more about foreign migration: Foreign Miners -
Gold Mining-A True Account
Louise Clappe writes in a letter to her sister, ”A man may work in a claim for many months and be poorer in the end; or he may take out thousands in a few hours. It is a mere matter of chance.” This was one of the first true accounts published. It expressed how gold mining was hard work, and few people ever got rich from mining gold.
Read more about Louise Clappe:
Biography Louise Clappe
