Discover the Adventure
The Discovery of Gold in California

Coloma and Marshall Gold Discovery
State Historic Park

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

Sometimes things happen by pure chance - such as the site chosen to build John Sutter's sawmill along the American River.

No one had an inkling that there was gold in that river until a glint of something sparkly caught James Marshall's eye!

Actually, we probably need to qualify the statement, "no one had an inkling."

It's highly likely that Native Americans had seen the shiny metal in the rivers and streams of their lands.

But it's just as likely that they would not have valued it in the same way the white pioneers and settlers did, so James Marshall and John Sutter still get credit for discovering the gold that set off the California Gold Rush.

Do you have a Gold Country story to tell?
Share your story here!

For your hotel needs when you're visiting California Gold Rush country, go to HotelsCombined.com and find the best prices:

---

The Story of Sutter's Mill & the Discovery of Gold

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 1848 San Francisco and New Helvitia (Sutter's Fort), before spreading out across the foothills and mountains of Northern California in search of gold, bringing the influx of civilization and rapid growth on their coattails!

---

Visit Coloma & Marshall Gold Discovery SHP

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 a more or less a ghost town (although about 530 people still live in the census-designated place called Coloma), but it's largely encompassed by Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park and contains over 20 historic buildings for you to enjoy, as well as a museum commemorating the discovery of gold and 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!

• Going to California
  Are you interest in how the 49ers got to California?
• The Gold Rush Trail
  Follow in the footsteps of the gold-seekers of 1849 - after they found their way to California.

Please continue your exploration of what Northern California has to offer by using the Nav Bars in the left and right columns or by using the links at the bottom of the page.

Like what you're finding here at Discovering Northern California? Then please share with the Social Network of your choice.

And thanks for coming!