Old Sacramento in Sacramento County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The Gold Rush Begins

Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, May 24, 2023

1. The Gold Rush Begins Marker

Inscription. Sutter employed a group of Mormons, under the supervision of James Marshall, to build a lumber mill on the American River at Coloma. The men worked on building a tailrace which would guide water from the mill back to the river. By day the men loosened the ground, and by night the river ran through the tailrace, carrying off the debris from the day’s work. On the morning of January 24, 1848, Marshall inspected the prior night’s activity by the river. Seeing a glimmer, he bent over and picked up the future of California in his hand. While Marshall had found a gold nugget only the size of a pea, news of this find and of other gold discoveries fueled the Gold Rush of 1849.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is January 24, 1848.

Location. 38° 34.914′ N, 121° 30.244′ W. Marker is in Sacramento, California, in Sacramento County. It is in Old Sacramento. Marker can be reached from the intersection of K Street and Interstate 5, on the right when traveling east. The metal marker is along the pedestrian walk where K Street extends under the freeway overpass towards downtown. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sacramento CA 95814, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Sacramento’s Strategic Location (here, next to this marker); The Arrival of Sutter

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(here, next to this marker); The Birth of the City (here, next to this marker); Early Explorers (a few steps from this marker); The Infant City (a few steps from this marker); The Squatters Settle In (a few steps from this marker); Early Native Americans (a few steps from this marker); Historical Timeline of Sacramento (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sacramento.

More about this marker. The marker is part of the Historical Timeline of Sacramento.
Inset Image:
Henry Bigler’s Diary, January 24, 1848 – from the Eleanor McClatchy Collection

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Historical Timeline of Sacramento

Also see . . . California Gold Rush. History.com

"The California Gold Rush was sparked by the discovery of gold nuggets in the Sacramento Valley in early 1848 and was arguably one of the most significant events to shape American history during the first half of the 19th century."

(Submitted on August 2, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.)

Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, May 24, 2023

2. The Gold Rush Begins Marker

Bottom center.

Marker Within the Timeline image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, May 24, 2023

3. Marker Within the Timeline

Credits. This page was last revised on August 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. This page has been viewed 54 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 2, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 2. submitted on July 27, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 3. submitted on August 2, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.