Coloma in El Dorado County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Partners In History
Friday, Aug. 27, 1847…made a contract and entered in partnership with Marshall for a sawmill to be built on the Amer. Fork.
So wrote John Augustus Sutter, methodically recording the agreement that led to California’s astonishing gold rush. Sutter left Germany for the United States in 1834, after several years in the Midwest, reached the Sacramento Valley in 1839. A year later he received a 48,000-acre land grant from the Mexican government and began creating a small empire near the confluence of the Sacramento and American Rivers.
Sutter needed lumber to expand his fort and a partner to help built a sawmill. He joined forces with James Wilson Marshall, a carpenter from New Jersey, and construction began in the fall of 1847. Marshall had almost finished the sawmill when he found gold in the tailrace. Ironically, the discovery that enriched so many brought ruin to its key figures - both Marshall and Sutter died in near-poverty.
Erected by Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is August 27, 1849.
Location. 38° 48.185′ N, 120° 53.554′ W. Marker is in Coloma, California, in El Dorado County. Marker can be reached from Highway 49. Marker is located on the trail to the gold discovery site, a short walk from the parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Coloma CA 95613, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. James Wilson Marshall (a few steps from this marker); The Spirit of the Gold Rush (within shouting distance of this marker); Dreams of Success (within shouting distance of this marker); Uncovering History (within shouting distance of this marker); Changing Life for the Nisenan (within shouting distance of this marker); Changing California (within shouting distance of this marker); Trees, River, Access (within shouting distance of this marker); Gold to be Found (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Coloma.
Also see . . .
1. THE DISCOVERY OF GOLD IN CALIFORNIA, By General John Sutter. (Submitted on March 20, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)
2. California State Parks Video Transcript. A docent tour presentation of the history of Coloma and the Marshall Gold Discovery SHP. (Submitted on March 20, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)
Additional keywords. California Gold Rush
Credits. This page was last revised on January 29, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 20, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,675 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 20, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 5. submitted on October 7, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.