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California Gold Rush

Gold rush in California

The California Gold Rush began in 1848, attracting 300,000 people. It reinvigorated the American economy, led to statehood, and had severe effects on Native Californians. The influx of gold-seekers, known as 'forty-niners', brought people from various countries. Mining techniques evolved, causing environmental harm but also technological advancements.

Related

American Civil War University of California Gavin Newsom Gold Standard Silicon Valley Industrial Revolution Panic of 1907 Ulysses S. Grant Great Depression Cornelius Vanderbilt

Timeline

John Sutter Establishes Nueva Helvetia

In 1839, John Augustus Sutter, a German-born Swiss citizen, established the colony of Nueva Helvetia (New Switzerland) along the Sacramento River in California. This area would later become known as Sacramento.

Early Gold Discovery in California

Gold was discovered in California as early as 1842 at Rancho San Francisco, leading to minor finds by Californian native Francisco Lopez and Mexican miners from Sonora. These early discoveries laid the foundation for the larger Gold Rush that followed.

Yerba Buena Landing

The sailing ship Brooklyn arrives in San Francisco, known as Yerba Buena, carrying 246 Mormon settlers.

General Store Opens at Sutter's Mill

Mormon leader Samuel Brannan opens a general store at Sutter's Fort near Sacramento.

Gold discovered in California; beginning of the gold rush

In 1848, gold was discovered in California, leading to a massive influx of people seeking fortune during the California Gold Rush. This event significantly impacted the demographics and economy of the region.

Discovery of Gold at Sutter's Mill

James Wilson Marshall discovered gold nuggets in the American River at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains near Coloma, California. This discovery marked the beginning of the California Gold Rush.

Marshall’s discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill

Traditionally dated on February 2, 1848, Marshall's discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill in California sparked the California Gold Rush, attracting thousands of fortune seekers.

California Becomes United States Territory

California officially becomes a part of the United States through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which marked the end of the Mexican-American War.

Samuel Brannan announces gold discovery in San Francisco

San Francisco merchant Samuel Brannan excitedly runs through the city streets holding a bottle filled with gold from the American River, shouting about the discovery of gold, which sparks a frenzy.

Samuel Brannan announces gold discoveries in San Francisco

Samuel Brannan's announcement of gold discoveries in San Francisco sparked a local rush in California and eventually led to a gold rush around the Pacific rim.

New York Herald Reports Gold

The New York Herald is the first major eastern newspaper to announce the discovery of gold in California.

President James Polk Announces Gold Discovery in State of the Union

President James Polk reveals the discovery of gold in California during his State of the Union address. Samples of gold provided by Col. Mason are exhibited for public viewing.

California Gold Rush Begins

In 1849, the California Gold Rush started, leading to a massive influx of people seeking gold in California. This event had a significant impact on the economy and demographics of the region.

Population Boom due to Gold Rush

In 1849, the population of the city experienced a significant increase due to the Gold Rush. The sudden influx of people led to a tenfold increase in population, transforming the city's demographics.

Miners Daily Wages

Placer miners in California are earning up to $20 a day from their diggings.

California becomes a state

In 1850, California officially became a state and was known as 'The Golden State'. It was also referred to as 'The Land of Milk and Honey', 'The El Dorado State', and 'The Grape State'.

Act for the Government and Protection of Indians

The Act for the Government and Protection of Indians, passed on April 22, 1850, by the California Legislature, allowed settlers to capture and use Native people as bonded workers, prohibited Native peoples' testimony against settlers, and allowed the adoption of Native children by settlers.

California becomes a state

California officially became a state of the United States on September 9, 1850. Prior to this, it existed as a region under military control with a mix of Mexican and American influences.

Gold Production in March 1851

Gold production continued in March 1851 during the California Gold Rush.

California Land Act and Land Commission

The California Land Act established the Land Commission, requiring holders of Spanish or Mexican land grants in California to prove ownership in a lengthy legal process. This led to the eventual loss of land by the original owners.

Committee of Vigilance Formed in San Francisco

San Francisco businessmen, led by Samuel Brannan, established the Committee of Vigilance in June 1851 to address crimes they believed the city government was neglecting.

Chinese Migration to Gold Mountain

Due to a crop failure in rural China, a large number of Chinese migrants moved to California, known as Gam Saan or 'gold mountain'. By 1852, over 20,000 Chinese immigrants arrived in San Francisco, making up a significant portion of the mining population.

Decline of the California Gold Rush

By 1853, the numbers of gold miners in California had decreased as the most-workable deposits were exhausted. The lawless mining camps transformed into permanent settlements with organized government.

Significant increase in new arrivals to California

In 1853, the number of new arrivals to California exceeded 300,000 people, indicating a major influx of immigrants to the region.

Invention of Hydraulic Mining

Edward Matteson, a placer miner, created hydraulic mining to extract gold from hillsides using high-pressure hoses. This technique increased gold yield and revolutionized mining practices.

Population Increase in California

The population of California saw a significant increase due to the Gold Rush, with more than 300,000 people arriving by 1855, changing the demographics of the territory.

Second Committee of Vigilance formed in San Francisco

In May 1856, the Second Committee of Vigilance was established in San Francisco. This committee not only conducted trials but also aimed to combat what it perceived as political corruption.

Decline in Gold Production

By 1857, the gold production in California had declined significantly to about $45 million per year, marking the end of the peak period.

Pikes Peak/Denver gold rush begins

In July 1858, the Pikes Peak/Denver gold rush started, attracting prospectors to the region in search of gold.

Comstock Silver rush begins in Virginia City, Nevada

In 1859, the Comstock Silver rush commenced in Virginia City, Nevada, leading to a significant mining boom in the area.

California Population Tripled

By the time of the first federal census in 1860, California's population had tripled since the start of the Gold Rush. Besides mining, residents were also engaging in cattle ranching and farming, making the state self-sufficient in wheat.

Pacific Railroad Act authorizes construction of transcontinental railroad

In 1862, the Pacific Railroad Act was passed, allowing for the construction of the transcontinental railroad connecting the east and west coasts, including California.

First transcontinental railroad groundbreaking ceremony

Within a few years after the end of the Gold Rush, in 1863, the groundbreaking ceremony for the western leg of the First transcontinental railroad was held in Sacramento. The line's completion, financed in part with Gold Rush money, united California with the central and eastern United States.

Completion of Transcontinental Railroad

The Union Pacific and Central Pacific Railroad companies completed the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869, at Promontory, Utah. This railroad connection linked the Eastern and Western United States, significantly impacting California's economic future.

Ban on hydraulic mining by US district court Judge Lorenzo Sawyer

In 1872, US district court Judge Lorenzo Sawyer banned hydraulic mining in the case of Edwards Woodruff v. North Bloomfield Mining and Gravel Company, putting an end to a destructive practice of the early gold rush.

Bodie Ghost Town

Bodie in the eastern Sierra Nevada is one of the largest authentic ghost towns in the West. It emerged as a mining town in 1877 following a gold strike and is now a state historic park.

Outlawing of Hydraulic Mining

In 1884, hydraulic mining was outlawed due to its destructive environmental impact. This marked a significant shift towards agriculture as the dominant industry in California.

Picacho Gold Mining Community

Picacho State Recreation Area on the lower Colorado River was once home to the gold mining community of Picacho, which had a population of 2,500 in 1904. The Picacho Mill is a remaining landmark in the area.

Paint Your Wagon opens on Broadway

The Broadway production, Paint Your Wagon, presents a comedic musical portrayal of the California gold rush.

Closure of Empire Mine

Empire Mine, one of the significant gold mining operations in California, ceased operations in 1956. It had been producing gold since the Gold Rush era.

Silicon Valley Boom

Silicon Valley in California is compared to the historical California Gold Rush, being described as the 'new California gold rush.'

End of the Timeline
California Gold Rush

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