Coloma in El Dorado County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Arrastre

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, January 21, 2023

1. Arrastre Marker

Inscription. Mexicans introduced the mule or horse-powered arrastre to California in 1849. Gold-bearing ore was ground between heavy stones upon a surface of well-fitted rocks. Miners then panned the pulverized ore to collect the gold. They also used mercury in the bottom of the pan to amalgamate with gold. The arrastre was effective, but too slow for the impatient Americans.

Inset Images:
During the gold rush, the arrastre was used because it could be made from materials at hand, powered by any animal available or by the miners themselves. Later, waterpower or machinery turned the arrastre.

Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park

Erected by Calfifornia Department of Parks & Recreation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1849.

Location. 38° 48.048′ N, 120° 53.521′ W. Marker is in Coloma, California, in El Dorado County. It is on Coloma Road (California Route 49) near Mt Murphy Road, on the right when traveling south. The resin marker is mounted to a metal stand on the Gold Discovery Loop Trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Coloma CA 95613, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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

in the Sierra Nevada,

and in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is 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 finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Chile Mill (a few steps from this marker); Hydraulic Mining

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(a few steps from this marker); Miner’s Cabin (a few steps from this marker); Placer Mining at Coloma (a few steps from this marker); Nelson Bell (within shouting distance of this marker); California Stamp Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); The Diggins (within shouting distance of this marker); Ft. Ross Cannon (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Coloma.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, January 21, 2023

2. Arrastre Marker

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, January 21, 2023

3. Arrastre Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 30, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. This page has been viewed 407 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 30, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.