The Tailrace

Photographed by Syd Whittle, March 17, 2009

1. The Tailrace Marker

Inscription. Here on a chilly morning in January, 1848, carpenter James Marshall picked up the small pieces gold that touched off one of the largest, most frenzied mass migrations in history. Within a year of Marshall’s discovery, six thousand gold seekers swarmed over the western slope of the Sierra Nevada. Thousands more who followed completely changed the what had been a quiet, remote Mexican province.

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 month for this entry is January 1848.

Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 38° 48.241′ N, 120° 53.568′ W. Marker was in Coloma, California, in El Dorado County. It could be reached from Highway 49. Marker is located within the boundaries of the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, on the trail to the Gold Discovery Site from the North Shore Parking area. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Coloma CA 95613, United States of America.

We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Regionally, this marker was in California’s Sacramento Metro,

in the Sierra Nevada,

and in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

It was also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it was in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within

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walking distance of this location: The Moment of Discovery (a few steps from this marker); Unstoppable News (a few steps from this marker); A Doomed Endeavor (within shouting distance of this marker); Gold to be Found (within shouting distance of this marker); Sutter’s Mill Site (within shouting distance of this marker); Uncovering History (within shouting distance of this marker); The Spirit of the Gold Rush (within shouting distance of this marker); Cutting Edge (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Coloma.

Another marker is no longer nearby. “Gold Boys Gold” (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . . THE DISCOVERY OF GOLD IN CALIFORNIA, By General John Sutter. John Sutter's own words on James Marshall's gold discovery. (Submitted on April 3, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)

Additional keywords. California Gold Rush

The Tailrace Marker and Trace of the Original Trailrace on the Right image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, March 17, 2009

2. The Tailrace Marker and Trace of the Original Trailrace on the Right

Site Map Displayed on Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, March 17, 2009

3. Site Map Displayed on Marker

The Tailrace image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, March 17, 2009

4. The Tailrace

Photographed by S B, March 15, 2009

5. The Tailrace Marker

overview of site on the American River

Credits. This page was last revised on January 22, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 3, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,559 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 3, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 5. submitted on February 22, 2012, by S B of Sacramento, California.