The California Gold Rush of 1849

Sutter’s Mill Mill= a factory In January of 1848, John Sutter, the owner of Sutter’s Mill, sent James Marshall to build a sawmill next to a nearby creek.

Sutter’s Mill Location

Eureka! Eureka= a cry of joy or satisfaction when one finds or discovers something. “I reached my hand down and picked it up; it made my heart trump, for I was certain it was gold.” – James Marshall

Oro! Oro! Oro! After the discovery, Sutter and Marshall both agreed to keep the discovery a secret, but when they went to investigate the next day, they found a Spanish-speaking Native American holding a gold nugget shouting “Oro! Oro! Oro!”

Extra! Extra! News of the discovery of gold soon spread across the country like wild fire.

Forty-Niners A group of 80,000 gold-seekers, called forty-niner, traveled to California in hope of striking it rich. 80% of the 49ers were American.

Gold Fever “At that time the ‘gold fever’ was contagious, and few, old or young escaped the malady [sickness]”

Gold Mining Equipment

The Chinese and the Gold Rush The California Gold Rush brought a large number of Chinese to America. These Chinese were very poor back in China. They wanted to become rich.

The Chinese The Chinese Miners Faced: Harsh Working Conditions Discrimination

The positive effects of the gold rush All of these developments led to the statehood of California on September 9th, 1850 as the 31st state. Towns and cities were charted Roads, schools, and churches were formed Improved transportation between California and the east coast

Boomtown - The General Store, Corinne, Boxelder Co., Utah Boomtowns - towns that grew up near major mining sites Some boom towns developed into cities, such as Denver, CO, and Reno, NV. Boomtown - The General Store, Corinne, Boxelder Co., Utah

Many of these new towns became abandoned ghost towns when the ore disappeared. Silver City, Idaho