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R. D. Stoney
(attributed to), Gold Mining in the
Mother Lode, c. 19th century
California Historical Society
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On January 24, 1848, James Marshall was inspecting a recently
built saw mill at Coloma on the south fork of the American River when he caught
a glimpse of something shining at the bottom of a ditch. Picking it up, he
recalled, “It made my heart thump, for I was certain it was gold.”
So began one of the great adventures of the American West.
As word spread of Marshall’s discovery, millions of people from all over the
world arduously made their way to northern California—by ship, overland trail,
and through the jungles of Panama. In two years, the population of California
skyrocketed, from about 10,000 to more than 200,000 people.
In the years that followed fortunes were made, lost,
or never realized. But California—and the West—would never be the same.