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

The World Rushed In

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado

1. The World Rushed In Marker

Inscription. Imagine news going viral in the age before the internet, before texting, before telephones. It would have to be pretty remarkable news to spread by print and word of mouth alone!

James Marshall’s gold discovery was just that. It promised a better life for struggling farmers, factory workers, and day laborers around the globe.

Newspapers shouted the discovery from their headlines. Ship passengers spread the news at every port of call. Even the U.S. government fueled the frenzy when they confirmed the gold discovery. Soon, thousands of gold seekers descended on California to make their fortunes.

The world rushed in, creating California as we know it today.

"Then the people commenced rushing up from San Francisco and other parts of California, in May 1848.”
- John Sutter

Erected by California Department of Parks & Recreation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Events. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1848.

Location. 38° 48.022′ N, 120° 53.518′ W. Marker is in Coloma, California, in El Dorado County. It can be reached from Back Street west of Bridge Street. The resin marker is mounted to a stone masonry wall outside the park visitor center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 310 Back Street, Coloma CA 95613, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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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: Chance Discovery Leads To Change (here, next to this marker); Coloma (here, next to this marker); Placer Mining at Coloma (within shouting distance of this marker); The Diggins (within shouting distance of this marker); Miner’s Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); Hydraulic Mining (within shouting distance of this marker); Crescent City Hotel and Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Arrastre (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. The World Rushed In Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 5, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. This page has been viewed 124 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 5, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.