California Gold Rush of 1849

Members of the Arkansas Emigrating Company were making ready for departure from Fayetteville on April 17, 1849. In the pre-dawn light, clouds hanging low and the air heavy laden with moisture left little doubt that Spring rains would soon arrive in Arkansas. Finally the call rang out "California Ho!" Oxen and horses strained in their harness and the wagons loaded with men, supplies and equipment rolled west. Some who had no wagons had bartered for space on the wagons of others who had a little space to spare. Livestock and horse riders fell in behind the wagons. Excitement was evident in their eyes although few words were spoken amongst the men. They had dreams of the gold they hoped to bring back to Arkansas.

Rains soon came and the 85 mile trip to their rendezvous with the Cherokee Company at Grand Saline was accomplished under muddy conditions. The men didn't complain.

The Company left Grand Saline and headed for California on April 24, 1849. The Arkansas Emigrating Company after joining with the Cherokees, consisted of 130 people, 40 wagons, 304 oxen, 41 mules, 65 horses and 31 cows, making in all 441 head of livestock. They recorded the miles traveled daily which averaged 5-20 miles. Mileage was calculated using a device designed by John Rankin Pyeatte which measured distance by counting the revolutions of the wagon wheel.

Other companies were plagued by sickness and disease but Captain Evans Company didn't seem to suffer much sickness. Cholera was rampant among other emigrating companies. That scourge didn't infiltrate our Arkansas Emigrating Company. They actually had few casualties. An August 16, 1849 letter from James Crawford to his wife, Harriett, reported that Mr. Tharpe died with what the doctors called diabetes. Mr. Garvin, one of the pack company, was drowned while attempting to cross Green River on a raft or skin boat. Aaron Tyner, Hiram Shores and others narrowly escaped drowning. They did lose their baggage and their money.

About ten days behind the Evans party, was another emigrating company led by Dr. Jeter L. Thompson, composed almost entirely of Cherokees. Cholera overtook that company at the Platte River crossing below North Platte, Nebraska and devastated it. John Lynch Adair and his brother, two adventurous young Cherokees, were with that party. Adair wrote in his diary: "Both sides of the river was a solid mass of wagons, men digging graves on each side of the river, men dying in their wagons, hallowing and crying and cramping with cholera, women screaming and praying. Oh, my God, if there were ever two boys that wanted to get back to their mothers, we did."

One letter to home offered the following explanation for the good health of the Arkansans: "Nothing else could be expected from men who cook their food with buffalo chips, snuff the pure bland breezes of the boundless plains and braced up with a 'lively hope' that all the wildest dreams e'er wove in fancy's loom of 'ingots of gold and bags of dollars,' will be realized beyond the Cordilietas"

They did, however, suffer many inconveniences if nothing else. Their diaries tell of horses stolen by Indians and oxen lost. It seems some of the oxen rebelled and turned back home without the consent of their owners. Letters exchanged between James Crawford with other relations back home continued to mention "Old Tuck," who must have been a favored ox. So far as is recorded Old Tuck never made it back home to Cane Hill, although another team of oxen still yoked together, did come home. So often was he mentioned that one must wonder about the fate of "Old Tuck."

Many references were made to Indians stealing horses. One particular incident referred to a mule. As a group of men set out to recover the stolen horses, they met a group of Indians returning the mule they had inadvertently taken along with the horses. Having a bit of experience with mules myself, I wonder if the Indians found the personality of the mule frightening and perhaps they felt it was filled with evil spirits.

While most of the Indian tribes encountered appeared quite friendly, anxious to trade and hopeful of receiving gifts, the most problematic were the Diggers. They were a nomadic tribe of Indians who lived in the desert. Their bows were not strong enough to kill an ox, but could wound one to the extent that it had to be left behind. Very little historically is known about them. They lived in burrows and obtained a miserable existence by digging roots and insects for food. They harassed almost every wagon train which crossed the desert such that subsequent emigrating parties shot them on sight. Whatever became of these miserable people has not been recorded. Hubert Howe Bancroft, the noted historian, said in his massive treatise on Native American people, "Anything that crawled, flew, or walked was food to them. They are naturally pusillanimous, weak in development, sunk below the common baser passions of the savage, more improvident than birds, more beastly than beasts. It may be possible to conceive of a lower phase of humanity, but I confess my inability to do so."

They met with many challenges along the way. The Arkansans weren't particularly happy with their travel across the desert lands. They described it as "the most miserable, poor, sandy, dusty, and hateful country (with a few exceptions) that any white man ever saw, or ever will see till he comes and sees this sand and dust." They reported an astronomical number of dead animals every few hundred yards along with graves of prior unfortunate emigrants. The stench of rotting flesh was never far from their nostrils. The mountainous regions presented an equal challenge. Many of the Arkansas emigrants elected to abandon their wagons and pack what they could across the mountains. At one point there was such a strong wind they were forced to crawl to keep from being blown away.

Apparently one reason Captain L. Evans trail is so often mentioned in subsequent diaries is that when he led his company from Washington County and the Cherokee Nation west in 1849 he took the time to carve on stones the fact that he passed a certain point. For example, at the fork with the Santa Fe Trail Captain Evans set up a stone marked "To Fayettville, Ark, 300 miles--Capt. Evans' Com'y, May 12, 1849."

The Company reached the Sacramento Valley, the village of Webbersville, October 20, 1849. Part of the group immediately left for Sacramento City to replenish supplies. Others proceeded to erect winter shelter as best they could. At this point it seems that disappointment and discouragement took over. Yet they accepted the fact that they would have to winter in California so as is common with Arkansans, they made the best of it.

Judging by letters written to his sons, nephews and friends, W. D. Crawford wasn't too keen on the expedition in the first place and took every opportunity to remind them of the morals which they took with them from Arkansas. His first letter included the following statement: "Oh! the infatuation, boys, take care you do not get your fingers burned and your morals corrupted. No doubt if you have the good fortune to reach your place of destination, you will be in the foulest crowd ever assembled on this earth at any one time or place." Subsequent letters gave even more stern admonitions. His dire warnings proved to be prophetic as stealing, lying, swearing, drinking, gambling and murders were rampant around the gold fields. It seems that every outlaw from every corner of the earth had converged upon the hapless miners and perpetrated every crime and illegal activity that could be imagined.

The discovery of gold drove up prices for everything. While the average worker might make $6 to $10 per day, food and supplies could cost much more than they earned. Many people had spent 6 months earnings, or more, getting to California.

John H. Miller, writing to the "St. Joseph Valley Register," October 6, 1849, gives the following prices at Webberville, 60 miles from Sacramento:

Wagons ........................................ $40 to $80.00
Oxen, per yoke ............................... 50 to 150.00
Mules, each ................................... 90 to 150.00
Board, per meal, $1.50, or per week ... 21.00
Beef, per pound .............................. 40 cents to .75
Salt Pork, per pound ........................ 40 cents to .75
Flour, per pound ............................. 25 cents to .30
Sugar, per pound ............................ 30 cents to .50
Molasses, per gallon ........................ $2 to 4.00
Mining Cradles ................................ $20 to 60.00
Mining Pans ................................... $4 to 8.00

Obvious from letters written to home, the gold in California was pretty much a disappointment as there were thousands of gold seekers and while some did acquire a fortune, most did not. According to diaries and letters the Divins, Edmistons, Eperson and J. Wham found a somewhat more lucrative mine but nothing is written about what, if anything, they brought back to Arkansas. As the family story goes, The Divins and Edmistons, from whom I descend, were an impatient lot and when they were ready to return to Arkansas they saddled their horses and struck off cross-country alone. (Perhaps I inherit my impatience from them). It is said that they would not even make fires lest they attract the unwanted attention of Indians.

A sad finale to this story is that of James Sawyer Crawford. He elected to return to Arkansas via ship. He reached the Port of Arkansas on October 31, 1850, about 12 miles below Pine Bluff. From this point James Sawyer Crawford made his way across country to Fayetteville. He died somewhere in the few miles between Fayetteville and his home at Cane Hill. He is buried in the Crawford Cemetery north of Lincoln.

Gold Country Nuggets

"Gold! Gold! Gold from the American River!" Sam Brannan yelled as he walked along San Francisco's Montgomery Street in May, 1848. The news was electric and within a year, gold fever was a worldwide epidemic. Hundreds of thousands of gold seekers traveled from the four corners of the Earth to California's Gold Country. 150 years later, they're still coming.

Today, they come to experience the legacy of the gold country, rather than to pan gold from its icy streams, and that legacy is best found on a circle tour of the Gold Country's top destinations: Sacramento, Ironstone Vineyards and Yosemite National Park. This tour can be accomplished in as little as three days, though a week provides a more leisurely and satisfying journey.
One can no longer travel from San Francisco to Sacramento by paddle wheeler as would have been done in the 1800s. Back then, riverboats steamed 90 miles up the meandering Sacramento River delta to the bustling waterfront of what is now called "Old Sacramento," a riverside commercial district that looks much as it did during the height of the gold rush with wooden sidewalks, cobblestone streets, saloons, and iron-shuttered shops.

Old Sacramento is truly where the Wild West began. At the intersection of 2nd and J Streets, the sounds of horse-drawn carriages passing transport you back to the late 1800s. Here, the bronze statue of a Pony Express rider, recalls the exuberant young men who galloped east, carrying mail to St. Joseph, Missouri, a job so dangerous that the company advertised for riders who were orphans. The Pony Express had a brief but thrilling life, but like the frontier was eventually subdued by technology... in its case, the telegraph. As ironic counterpoint, opposite the statue is an authentically preserved Wells Fargo & Co. assay office, with displays containing telegraph equipment, assay instruments, strong boxes, gold dust and memorabilia of the period. Further gilded age technology is memorialized at the Discovery Museum where history, technology and science come to life in interactive displays. Next door, Leland Stanford, Collis Huntington, Mark Hopkins and Charles Crocker met to finance the Central Pacific Railroad that would cross the continent. Fittingly, the California State Railroad Museum stands nearby. Its beautiful steam engines have been detailed to showroom perfection, their massive bodies colorfully painted and glistening. Train rides are offered every weekend, April through September.

As the capital of California, Sacramento is loaded with great museums and historic sites, 16 of them, to be precise. California weapons, uniforms and descriptions of campaigns are found at the California Military Museum on Second Street. A few blocks away, early California paintings are featured at the Crocker Art Museum, the oldest public arts museum west of the Mississippi River. For a taste of what makes California different, head to the Golden State Museum at 10th and O streets with its involving and elaborate interactive exhibits drawn from the State Archives. The 1859-era state capitol building at 10th and L streets functions as a living museum where laws are passed for the fifth-largest economy in the world. Guided tours include entry to the colorfully decorated State Assembly and Senate rooms and historic offices. Tours of the gingerbread Victorian Governor's Mansion at 1526 H Street gives visitors a look into how 13 California governors (including Ronald Reagan) lived. And for an earlier look at life on the frontier, visit Sutter's Fort State Historic Park at 2701 L Street, where reenactors depict Sacramento's earliest settlement, founded in 1839. 

Sacramento has lots of places to stay, from a riverboat docked along the waterfront, to Arts and Crafts bungalows and Victorian homes that have been converted into trendy inns, to a carload of moderately priced motels, to full- service luxury hotels. 

Considering Sacramento's charms, its hard to imagine that the '49ers stocked up and rushed right out of town. Their intent, understandably, was to get rich by the fastest means possible. Author Mark Twain was one of those. Like others who struck it rich during the California gold rush, however, Twain's fortune didn't come from mining. In 1865, he reworked a tale he had heard in the gold fields, and within months the author of "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County," had become a national sensation.

Twain's subject is reached by driving east along State Route 16, from Sacramento to the Sierra foothills and turning south on SR 49. This historic road connected Gold Country towns like links on a golden chain. Within a few months of the gold discovery, 546 mining towns had sprung up. About 250 still remain. Many look much as they did when "The Mother Lode" was booming. Merchants in these supply towns usually became richer than the miners, because the miners were in constant need of supplies. A shovel would draw $50 from a miner's thin wages. Worse yet, a slice of bread could cost $1... $2 if it was buttered. Today, the old mining towns are populated with antique shops, art galleries and bed and breakfast inns, yet their prices are far more reasonable.

In addition to a pan full of historic sites, Calaveras County is home to superb golf courses, snow and water skiing, whitewater rafting on the Stanislaus River, the giant sequoias of Calaveras Big Trees State Park, tours of spectacular caverns and wine tasting at several exceptional wineries. Many of the region's wineries have roots that extend back to the gold rush. European miners often found it more profitable to make wine and brandy for the miners than dig in the mines and the Gold Country became California's first economically successful winemaking region. Today, several award-winning wines are being made here; the most famous producer of them is Ironstone Vineyards in Murphys.
There's no mistaking Ironstone as some faux Loire Valley chateau. John Kautz and his family have unabashedly designed the Ironstone Winery as a tribute to the California gold rush. The winery's architecture resembles a stamp mill where ore would have been crushed, and its grounds include placer (hydraulic) mining equipment, flumes, water wheels and miner's cabins, recreating the look of the period. A museum inside the winery displays the Ironstone Crown Jewel, a 44-pound crystalline gold nugget that is stored in a vault surrounded by shatterproof glass and lit to dazzling intensity.

There is so much to see and do at Ironstone Vineyards that one might overlook tasting the winery's great wines, if they weren't so good. Several have won international acclaim, and medals signaling their excellence hang throughout the tasting room. Ironstone owns over 5,000 acres of vineyards including the largest plantings of Cabernet Franc in the United States. Much of Ironstone's wine is aged in large caverns that were hand-blasted into a hillside. The trickling sounds and delicate lighting of the cave's waterfall serves as a beautiful background for wine tasting and the winery's award-winning gardens. When this all becomes too much and you need a good night's rest, the 1856 Murphys Hotel is just minutes away. It's the same place where President Ulysses S. Grant and Mark Twain rested on their Gold Country sojourns. 

The circle tour continues on Highway 49, past the gold towns of Sonora, Jamestown, Chinese Camp and Groveland, up into the High Sierra (on State Route 120) and Yosemite National Park. Yosemite Valley was first entered in 1850 by the Mariposa Battalion a group of impromptu soldiers enlisted to suppress attacks on miners by Indians who lived in the Valley. Five years later, the first tourist party entered and visitors have been returning ever since. It's little wonder. The Valley's towering granite walls, domes and waterfalls are so breathtakingly beautiful that seeing them often moves visitors emotionally.

Increasingly today however, park visitors are not satisfied with sightseeing; they seek deeper meaning and understanding about Yosemite National Park, its wildlife and special places. Responding to this interest, the Yosemite Guides, a private guide service, provides privately guided trips from the Yosemite Gateway Visitor Center at the Yosemite View Lodge in El Portal near the west entrance to Yosemite National Park (SR 140). There, mountaineer Peter Mayfield and naturalists lead small groups on individualized trips into the wilderness. They cater sunset picnics on Sentinel Dome with alpenglow-painted views of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome and the High Sierra, lead morning bird walks across meadow boardwalks in Yosemite Valley to hear the song of the yellow warbler, guide fly fishermen from around the world to float cast upon alpine eastern Sierra lakes, and pilot hikers to the quiet solitude of the Merced Grove of Giant Sequoias.

Many of these trips explore the wild and scenic Merced River Canyon. In March and
April, Hite Cove, midway down the canyon and recognized as having one of California's best displays of wildflowers, wears a bright blanket of green grasses, decorated with iridescent yellow, pink, red, purple, orange and blue blossoms, and visited by hundreds of fluttering butterflies, Mariposa County's namesake. Neon-colored paddlers add to the show as they challenge the Merced's whitewater, in splashing, laughing choruses, through spring and into early summer.

Farther down Highway 140 is Mariposa, the final Gold Country stop on this circle tour. At the California State Mining and Mineral Museum, 13,000 minerals, rocks, gems historic artifacts, and fossils are maintained in a collection that was begun in 1865. The pride of the collection is the crystalline-gold Fricot nugget, which at 201 ounces, was the largest crystalline nugget found during the Gold Rush. Though millions of travelers pass through Mariposa on their way to Yosemite each year, this isolated gold rush town has been largely unaffected and retains its small town atmosphere, as evidenced at the Mariposa County Courthouse which is the oldest county courthouse in continuous use west of the Rockies. After all, taking the circle tour is all about uncovering gold country nuggets like this one.
It is often difficult to obtain acceptable accommodations inside Yosemite National Park, particularly on short notice, but not so along Highway 140. Luxury accommodations with kitchenette units, gas fireplaces, double spa tubs, swimming pools and river views are easily obtained at the Yosemite View Lodge, while the Cedar Lodge in El Portal and the Yosemite Best Western Waystation in Mariposa provide quality accommodations at moderate prices. 

Oceanside California Vacation Rentals

Southern California is a beautiful spot for a vacation, and with Oceanside California Vacation Rentals starting at very reasonable rates, it's possible to enjoy a fabulous holiday without breaking the bank.

Most rentals are fitted with cable TV, VCR, DVD player, stereo and CD player, plus high speed internet connection. The well appointed kitchens provide all the necessary equipment which will add to your holiday enjoyment.

The luxury accommodations offer great amenities for a really wonderful, relaxing holiday, with swimming pools, Jacuzzis and recreation rooms where the kids can have fun while Mum and Dad doze by the pool.

Wonderful beaches, restaurants and delightful shops make it a great place for the whole family to enjoy. Activities such as surfing, deep sea fishing and whale watching to name a few, are all within walking distance, the main problem being deciding what to do first!

Attractions such as Disneyland, San Diego Zoo, Sea world, Wild Animal Park are some of the attractions which are within one hour's drive away. Knott's Berry Farm will make a great day out for the whole family, with its Indian trails, water features and a boom town where you can see gunfights, have a ride on a stagecoach and watch them panning for gold.

Oceanside California Vacation Rentals provide perfect accommodation situated as they are beside the wonderful golden beaches of Southern California. With 24 hour security and all the amenities you could possibly wish for, the rentals are reasonably priced and offer the perfect holiday destination for young and old alike.

California Gold Rush for Kids

On January 24, 1848, James W. Marshall discovered gold in the American River, on the property of his employer John A. Sutter. Despite their efforts to keep this discovery quiet, news soon got out that there was gold in the hills of the River and by August of that year the hillside was covered with tents as men from around the globe, made their way to California to strike it rich.

This was no planned event. The Mexican War had only just been won and the Eastern Seaboard was in a state of financial depression. California Governor Richard Barnes Mason declared, "I have no hesitation now in saying, that there is more gold in the country drained by the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers than will pay the cost of the present war with Mexico a hundred times over." It seemed that the promise of gold was too good to pass up.

To begin with, men came from the West. They were already close by, and they were hard working honest and trusting men. Soon however, settlers began to make their way across the country from the East.

The gold attracted many outlaws with little respect for the law. Robbery, murder, and conflict with Indians and bandits became common. With the inability of local law enforcement to manage this influx of crime, vigilante groups and lynching became a common form of mob justice.

The journey from the East was a hazardous one, more men died of cholera than the feared Indians on that trek across the country. The hard journey however, prepared the men for the harsh conditions of working for the gold. Although there was good money to be made, the cost of living was also high. Few of the prospectors struck it rich, the wise ones become farmers or storekeepers.

The largest influx of settlers was in 1849 and hence the settlers were often referred to as "forty-niners". $10 million dollars worth of gold was found in 1849. This rose to a peak of $81 million in 1852. All in all, over $2 billion dollars worth of gold was taken from the earth before mining became almost dormant.

eBay Gold: Old California License Plates Selling For $300

Do you have any old California license plates tucked away in the corner of your garage or attic? If you do, you might want to bring them out into the daylight, dust them off, and list them on eBay. California license plate pairs from the 1930s through the 1960s routinely fetch over $300.00 on eBay, and it is not uncommon for them to sell for an even higher price when in very good condition.

Of course, there is a catch. Not every pair of old license plates from the Golden State will sell for such a lofty price, and I'm going to show you how to tell the difference between a real nugget and fool's gold.

You see, California, like a number of other states, has on its books what is referred to as a Year of Manufacture Law, or Y.O.M. for short. The intent of this law is to allow owners of classic cars to use on their vehicles the actual style of license plate that was issued during the year the automobile was manufactured. California restricts this law to vehicles manufactured in 1972 or earlier.

So in other words, the owner of a 1951 Chevy could put a set of 1951 California plates on his vehicle if he so desired. Simple, right? Well, it's not quite that easy. First of all, California did not issue a license plate every year. For example, if you owned a 1958 Ford, you would need 1956 plates with 1958 stickers on them. Owners of 1949 vehicles would need a set of 1947 plates with 1949 metal tabs to affix to those plates. Those metal tabs can sometimes be hard to come by as well, and open up another great opportunity for eBay sellers. A tiny set of California metal tabs sell easily for $50.00.

Of course, the year dilemma doesn't really matter to you as a license plate seller. You have what you have. But for a classic car owner, it makes finding authentic plates for his beloved automobile all the more challenging and costly.

And if all this wasn't enough, there is one more, huge obstacle that must be cleared... literally. The number on the license plates must not be currently in use by another motorist. If you have a set of plates to sell with a number that is currently registered to a vehicle, you've got fool's gold, my friend. They are useless to a classic car owner.

To determine if you have the real deal, you can go to the California DMV website and check the number on the personalized plate page. In the vehicle information section, select "Auto" for type of vehicle and check "No" to indicate that you are not going to put the plate on a leased or company owned vehicle. Check the first plate example shown, which is a standard-issue California license plate, and then click "Next" at the bottom of the page. When the new page opens up, you put in your plate number using the "Plate Message" drop down menu. Click "Next" at the bottom of the page, and you will be told instantly if the number is cleared for use on any vehicle.

If the response you receive, is a positive one, congratulations. You've just struck gold! Take a photo of the license plates, and post them on eBay. Be sure to include the words "DMV Clear" in your listing title. For a nice set of plates, I suggest a Buy It Now listing with a Best Offer option. Make your starting price $395.00 and refuse any offer less than $325.00. You're in the driver's seat... and soon to be in the money.

The California Gold Rush

American history is a deeply woven story of new discoveries, seemingly endless frontiers and dogged perseverance. Stories of events and movements that shaped our world and helped build our country can be heard from coast to coast and everywhere in between: the Industrial Revolution that sprouted in the northeast and moved outward, tales of revolution and martyrdom in the South. However, it is to the west that we find one the most colorful and truly American sagas of sacrifice and adventure. The California gold rush holds a special place in history as being responsible for the some of the most widespread migration from across the country.

The gold rush began in 1848 when James Marshall first discovered gold at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. Rumors of the find quickly spread, and within months, the search was on. The earliest treasure seekers would become known as the "49ers", dubbed so for the influx of people drawn to the hunt in 1849. These first 49ers were made up, for the most part, of local farmers and agriculturalists, Native Americans and Hispanic natives. This local atmosphere didn't last long, however, once President Taft announced the find in an address to congress.

Hundreds of thousands of men, women and children flocked to the hills of California is search of the precious metal. Many of the pioneers faced a dangerous journey by sea, in hopes of traveling faster than their counterpart crossing land. The ocean voyage around the tip of South America was arduous, and many did not survive to seek their fortunes. The overland voyage faced its own hardships, with cholera and typhoid fever claiming many travelers.

The city of San Francisco owes its livelihood to the gold rush. Once a tiny, insignificant waypoint, the massive migration brought settlers to the small town. The demand for goods brought traders to port in San Francisco, with countless crews abandoning ship to start their own search for wealth in the mountains of California. Similar situations arose all over California, especially in northern California where gold reserves where greater and much easier to reach.

Much of our view on the "Wild West" came about as a result of the gold rush of 1849. Being so far removed from the seat of government on the east coast, California was a notoriously lawless frontier. Since California was technically still under Mexican control until the end of the Mexican-American War, establishing law and government was particularly challenging. The lack of a local government made it open season for claiming property, and taxes in the West were non-existent.

The gold rush is responsible not only for a cultural surge in on the west coast, but also for a dramatic increase in the development of technology necessary to mine the gold locked away in the mountains. Methods varied greatly, from simple panning to dredging and advanced hydraulic mining. Prospectors were faced with new challenges as the amount of easily accessible gold began to dry up. New methods had to be developed to bring the gold up from deep within the hills.

California's Liquid Gold - The California Wine Festival in Santa Barbara

California is the world's foremost place to make wine, and as attendees of the California Wine Festival this July 16th-18th in Santa Barbara will discover-it is a most romantic place to taste and savor it.

The French attribute the wine's charm to its terroir. Terroir extends influences beyond soil composition, microclimate, grape quality and vineyard management to include the spirit of place. To me terroir includes the romance of Old California, heart-stopping sunrises and sunsets, the tang of the great Pacific, the astonishing variety and fragrance of California nature, even the quality of our golden light that goes into California wines, too.

California is America's leading agriculture state. We produce high quality meats, seafood, vegetables, fruits, oils and olives, and artisan breads, herbs, cheeses and wines. Farmer's Markets are our Meccas. Their intensely fresh, bursting with flavor and colorful organic and sustainable ingredients are why California restaurants place among the tops in the world. The expression 'God is in the Details' explains why the same rich soils that grew our apples, citrus, berries and flowers, enriches our wine grapes that create a rich and buttery glass of Chardonnay, with its aromas and flavors of citrus, apple and pear, and notes of toast and vanilla to pair with our state's famous Dungeness crab. We respect these fine nuances and details.

Since the Spanish missionaries planted California's first vineyards in the late 1700s, winemaking methods have evolved through successive waves of immigrant Italian, German, Portuguese and French winemakers. And today, California's multi-generational, small family owned enterprises have adopted sustainable practices, with many becoming organic or biodynamic to protect their families, communities, consumers and the environment.

The payoff is tremendous. California is the world's fourth largest wine producing region, exports 95% of U.S. wines, produces 309,000 jobs and $51.8 billion in economic value for California, and 875,000 jobs and $125.3 billion economic value nationwide. California winemaking attracts nearly 20 million tourists each year.

Robert Mondavi, one of a handful of California's leading wine pioneers, summed up California's golden treasure, "Wine to me is passion. It's family and friends. It's warmth of heart and generosity of spirit. Wine is art. It's culture. It's the essence of civilization and the art of living."

Gold Country, California

Gold Country is a region that spans more than 100 miles along the western slope of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. In 1848, gold was discovered at Sutter's sawmill along the American River. Word quickly spread to the east with tales of easy riches just waiting to be plucked off the ground. This prompted a massive and expedient migration to the west in what is now known as the '1849 Gold Rush'. Very few gained the wealth that was expected and instead found hardship and struggle in the many shanty towns that popped up along the Sierra foothills. After most of the gold was panned, sluiced, mined and stripped from the hills, many of these '49ers' either returned back home or headed to San Francisco for city life and stable income. Today, Gold Country follows Highway 49 from Nevada City in the north all the way down south of Yosemite. Many of the original mining camps remain as historic towns like Grass Valley, Auburn, Placerville, Jackson, Angels Camp, Jamestown and many more. All of these towns feature original Victorian homes, historic hotels and a plethora of historic sites. In addition, not only does Gold Country retain a rich gold-mining past, but it also offers many other attractions including recreational lakes, natural caverns, giant sequoias, Native-American sites, wineries and much more.

The northernmost towns include Grass Valley, Nevada City and Auburn. All three are accessible from Interstate 80 between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe. Visit what was once the largest and richest gold mine at Empire Mine State Historic Park. Visitors can join a tour and actually enter the mine for an eye-opening glimpse into the life of an 1800's miner. Visit Cousin Jack's Pasties in Grass Valley for a taste of traditional miner fare. The Holbrooke Hotel is one of the oldest hotels in the region and is a Registered Historic Landmark. Directly off Interstate 80 is the town of Auburn where you'll find a quaint, historic portion of town and the county courthouse that today serves as the County Museum. Just a short distant south on Highway 49 lands you at Auburn State Recreation Area where there is a picturesque bridge along the American River and great opportunities for hiking, swimming, whitewater rafting, gold panning, fishing, camping and much more.

Heading south on Highway 49 through Cool, California you'll find Coloma, perhaps the most historic point in all of California. Marshall's Gold Discovery State Historic Park is in Coloma where, in 1848, James Marshall discovered gold at Sutter's sawmill. There you'll find a museum of historic artifacts, portions of the original town and a reproduction of Sutter's mill situated in the original location along the American River. Further south where Highway 49 intersects Highway 50 is Placerville. Originally known as 'Hangtown', it was renamed Placerville to honor the gold panners that were referred to as 'placer miners' back in the day. Peruse the shops and historic buildings of downtown Placerville. Stay in the historic Carey House Hotel on Main Street and enjoy a gourmet pot pie at Z-Pie. Step into an original Gold Country gold mine at Gold Bug Historic Park and try your hand at gold panning. Visit a local winery or head up Highway 50 to Apple Hill for some country-fresh produce and homemade apple pie.

Continuing south on Highway 49, there are several small towns worth stopping at to explore including Plymouth, Drytown and Sutter Creek. At the intersection of Highways 49 and 88 is Jackson where there are multiple sites to visit. Visit the Kennedy Mine for a view of a large-scale mining operation. Several recreational lakes are just west of Jackson and offer opportunities for boating, swimming, water skiing, fishing, camping and more. Head up Highway 88 to Indian Grinding Rocks State Historic Park to see the largest Indian mortar rock in all of North America. Join a tour that heads deep inside a gold mine at Sutter Gold Mine. Visit one of several local caverns including Black Chasm and Masonic Caves. Black Chasm features an underground lake worth seeing. Every year beginning in March, Daffodil Hill opens to the public for one month and offers viewing of over 4 acres of blooming daffodils. Feeling lucky? - try your hand at the Jackson Rancheria Indian Casino.

Further south on Highway 49 lands you at our favorite Gold Country region. If you only plan to visit Gold Country once in your life, the region encompassing Angels Camp, Murphys, Sonora and Jamestown is where you should go. Angels Camp lays claim to the only movie theatre in Gold Country, which was once used to entertain miners with dancing girls and theatrical plays. Every year the Calaveras County Fair hosts their frog jump contest at the fairgrounds just outside of Angels Camp. This contest was made famous when Mark Twain wrote a short story about the event called, "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County". Main Street has a 'Walk of Fame' where winning frogs are forever memorialized with brass plaques, similar to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The nearby town of Murphys has a historic hotel and bar where bullet holes can still be found in the walls and ceiling dating back to the 49er days. Murphys is the hub for Sierra Foothill wineries and has tasting rooms along Main Street for just about every local winery. Nearby is Calaveras Big Trees State Park, which features a protected grove of giant sequoias and campgrounds. Several caverns await adventurous explorers including California Cavern, Mercer Caverns and Moaning Cavern. Moaning Cavern offers a rope repel of 165 feet to the cave floor. To the west of Angels Camp, New Melones Lake offers opportunities for boating, swimming, water skiing, fishing, camping and more.

Between Angels Camp and Sonora is Columbia State Historic Park. Columbia represents a gold town as it would've been during the 49er era. Park employees dress in period clothing and perform duties like candlestick making, blacksmith and stagecoach driving. Visitors are welcome to try their hand at many trades of the period. Stagecoach rides are available and two historic hotels offer stay within the park for definitely the most authentic 1800's experience in Gold Country. Just a few more miles down the road is Jamestown where you'll discovery Railtown 1849 State Historic Park. Original steam trains are on display along with an authentic station. Take a ride on an original steam engine train that once supplied timber to the local gold mines. Jamestown also has two historic hotels worth considering for your stay, the National or Jamestown Hotels. One even claims to have a resident ghost.

Gold Country is our favorite region in California for its history, beauty, accessibility and endless recreational activities. With an average altitude of 1,500 feet, it has a temperate climate where snow is a rarity. It is centrally located between big cities like Sacramento and Fresno and vacation hotspots like Lake Tahoe and Yosemite. Because of their locations off of major highways connecting Sacramento to Lake Tahoe, Auburn and Placerville can become extremely congested during the summer months and on weekends. Planning around these times may benefit your overall experience in these towns. The residents of Gold Country are welcoming and eager share their knowledge. You think all the gold was mined out of here in the 1800s? Think again - gold panning is still available throughout the region and plenty of gold is still being found. Be sure to converse with the local shop owners to get details and tips if you plan on trying your luck.

California Revealed is comprised of Californians who have spent a lifetime traveling and exploring California. We can give you local insight on popular destinations, but also let you know about the obscure, less traveled destinations that only locals of this state would know about. This is not the most extensive listing of California destinations but instead, an extensive listing of places and adventures that are sure to please you. Simply put, we want you to have a fantastic, unforgettable time in California.

Guide to Gold in California

Gold panning is fast-becoming one of the most popular activities today.  In fact, more and more travel groups are offering vacation packages that center around the activity.  So if you’re bored of the usual vacations and you want to do something new with your family, or if you’re in it for the money, I suggest that you continue reading.

Gold panning in California

Of course, we can’t talk about gold panning without talking about California.  After all, there’s a reason why the state is called “The Golden State”.  It’s safe to say that it’s because of the contribution of gold to the development of the state.  Most historians would tell you that the discovery of gold in the state led to its modern development.

History of gold panning in California

In order to know the full history, we have to go back to almost two centuries ago.  It’s an established fact that it was James W. Marshall, with the help of Samuel Rogers, who first discovered gold on January 24, 1848.  Both were working on a project for John Sutter.  It was Mr. Rogers who first saw the precious metal that he immediately brought to Mr. Marshall.  He immediately had his suspicions that it was gold so he brought it to Mr. Sutter.  The two tested the metal themselves and they confirmed that it was indeed gold.

However, there were no shouts of joy after the discovery.  The duo actually became concerned that the discovery would start a gold rush and that their project will be affected.  Mr. Sutter wanted to set up his own agricultural kingdom and he feared that if word got out, people would flock to his area looking for gold.

His fears proved to be prophetic as people started flocking to his land after a San Francisco publication released news confirming that there is indeed gold in California.  This led to locals trooping to the river, ready to look for gold.  News then spread all over the world and people from all over started settling in, completely modernizing the state.

Since most people who came didn’t have any tools or know-how to extract gold, they used a very simple but effective system – gold panning.  Actually, that wasn’t the first time that the strategy was used to extract gold.  In ancient Rome, they used the strategy as well.  It’s simple, low-cost and effective.

Gold panning in California gained popularity in 1849 when the “Forty-niners”, or those looking for gold, started extracting gold using the simplest strategy that they know of.  Armed with gold pans, they competed with the bigger groups that have more technologically-advanced strategies.

Interesting facts about gold panning in California:

• 125 million troy ounces of gold were extracted during the Gold Rush of 1848–1855.
• Converted to today’s money, that’s over $50 billion worth of gold.
• A 195 pound gold nugget was discovered in 1854.  Back then, it was valued at $43,534.
• Due to the Gold Rush, California’s population exploded to 223,000 from 14,000 in four years from 1848 to 1852.

Counties where they found gold in California

This is a list of the top 12 California counties when it comes to extracted gold.  These counties were able to produce over $100,000,000 worth of gold since the start of the Gold Rush until 1965.

• Nevada
• Amador
• Tuolumne
• Butte
• Calaveras
• Sierra
• Yuba
• Sacramento
• Placer
• El Dorado
• Plumas
• Siskiyou

NOTE: El Dorado, Tuolumne, Mariposa, Amador and Calaveras were the original “Mother Lode” counties.

Where can you pan for gold in California today?

It’s been estimated that only 20% of the total gold in the Mother Lode were extracted.  This means that there are still 80% of them still available for extraction.  Aside from the original five counties, it now covers northeastern and central California so those are great places to start with.

Hopefully, this information will help you explore gold panning in California.  Take advantage of these resources and have fun with your success!

29e. Gold in California

In January of 1848, a man namedJAMES MARSHALL innocently noticed a few shiny flecks in a California stream at SUTTER'S MILL. Word spread of gold and soon people from all over California flocked inland seeking instant fortune. By autumn, word had reached the east, and once again Americans earned their reputation as a migratory people. During the year that followed, over 80,000 "FORTY-NINERS" flocked to California to share in the glory. Some would actually strike it rich, but most would not. gold in california

Life in a mining town was not easy. Often the towns consisted of one main street. It is in these towns that the mythical "OLD AMERICAN WEST" was born. The social center of these new communities was the saloon. Here, miners might spend some of their meager earnings after a hard day's work. Gambling, drinking, and fighting were widespread, and justice was often determined by the hardest punch or the fastest draw. About 95% of the mining population was young and male. Female companionship was in high demand. Sometimes the saloon doubled as a brothel, and as many as 20% of the female population earned their living as prostitutes. Many other women were shopkeepers and businesswomen, and some werePANNING FOR GOLD side by side with the men. gold in california

This photograph of Sutter's Mill was taken in 1852, four years after the discovery that began the gold rush.

If a nearby mine became exhausted or turned out to be a hoax, there was no reason for the town to exist. The abandoned GHOST TOWNS began to dot the region. gold in california

Although predominantly young and male, the population of California was very diverse. In addition to the white American settlers who comprised the majority of the mining populace, free African-Americans could also be found among their ranks. More numerous were Mexicans who were hoping to strike it rich. Word reached European shores and immigrants headed to America's west. German-Jewish immigrant LEVI STRAUSS invented trousers for the miners — his blue jeans became an American mainstay. Another significant segment of the diversity was the CHINESE, who hoped to find gold and return to their homeland. Over 45,000 immigrants swelled the population between 1849 and 1854. Diversity did not bring harmony. The white majority often attacked the Mexican and Chinese minorities. The miners ruthlessly forced the California Native Americans off their lands. Laws were passed to restrict new land claims to white Americans. gold in california

Gold in California Mines, Gold Prospecting, Gold Panning and Treasure Hunting Gold in California Region 3

WHERE TO FIND GOLD IN CALIFORNIA

Big Ten, Inc.'s Gold in California Prospecting and Panning Map 3 shows places where to look to find gold near: 

Alhambra, Altadena, Apple Valley, Azusa, Big Bear Lake, Barstow, Burbank, Edwards, El Monte, Fenner, Glendale, Glendora, Frazier Mountain, Hesperia, La Canada, Lake Arrowhead, Lancaster, Los Angeles, Ludlow, Mint Canyon, Mitchell Caverns State Park, Monrovia, Newhall, Palmdale, Pasadena, Pomona, Ontario, Rancho Santa Clarita, Redlands, Rialto, Rosamond, San Bernardino, San Fernando, Simi Valley, Temple City, Thousand Oaks, Twentynine Palms, Victorville, West Covina, West Hollywood, Yucaipa and Yucca Valley. gold in california

It shows five hundred thirteen (513) gold mines and gold prospecting and panning locations from official geological records of the State of California and the federal government. Locations for finding gold are shown within 15 miles of each of the above listed places. These gold deposit locations, which show where gold has been found in the past, are clearly marked. A good gift.

The map is done in color. The margin of the map has text that tells where to look for gold in a streambed, how to tell "fools gold" from real gold and gives step-by-step gold panning instructions. You can quickly learn to pan by following the instructions on the map.

GOLD MINES, GOLD PROSPECTING AND PANNING IN CALIFORNIA GOLD REGION 3

Included in Map 3's five hundred thirteen gold mines and prospecting sites are heavy localized concentrations of gold deposits and many isolated deposits. 

Ninety six (96) gold mining and prospecting locations are shown within 30 miles of Pasadena. There are one hundred twenty five (125) gold deposit sites within 40 miles of Big Bear Lake in San Bernardino County and fifty (50) gold mining and prospecting locations in Ventura County in the area neighboring Frazier Mountain.

Placer gold was mined in the San Gabriel Mountains as early as 1834 in the Acton Gold District about 20 miles north of Los Angeles. Lode mining began there about 1880 and a number of mines in the district were active in the 1900's.

The Piru Gold District is in northeastern Ventura County near Piru Creek and just south of the Frazier Mountain Gold District. Gold from placer mining in the Piru Gold District was shipped to the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia in 1842. gold in california

The Saugus Gold District (also known as the Newhall Gold District and the San Gabriel Gold District) includes a number of canyons and the Santa Clara River in the vicinity of the city of Newhall in Los Angeles County. Placer mining has been carried on here with gold being recovered from gravels in stream channels and from benches and terraces along the banks.

Placer gold has been recovered in some of the canyons and washes along the south flank of the San Gabriel Mountains north and east of Los Angeles. 

Some other concentrations of gold deposits are shown on Gold in California Prospecting and Panning Map 3 to the east of George Air Force Base and around the city of Barstow. There is a group of 25 gold mines and prospecting locations  near the San Bernardino County and Riverside County lines 10 miles south of Twentynine Palms. Another 15 to 20 miles to the east, and bridging the foregoing county lines, is the prolific Dale Gold Mining District. gold in california

Many of the gold mines and prospecting locations that appear on the map in east-central San Bernardino County are west of the Ward Valley on both sides of Interstate 40, and on both sides of the Fenner Valley. This gold mining and prospecting area has hundreds of dry washes.

The varied topography of this Southern gold in California region enhances the recreational gold prospecting and panning experience. Gold in California Region 3 has many physical variations, such as desert, mountains, canyons, valleys, dry washes and beautiful streams.

Gold in california Mines, Gold Prospecting, Gold Panning and Treasure Hunting Gold in California Region 1

where to find gold in california

Big Ten's California Gold Prospecting and Panning Map 1 shows places where to look to find gold near:

Ballarat, Baker, Blythe, Chloride City, Cima, Death Valley, Desert Center, Desert City, Eagle Mountain, Glamis, Grommet, Halloran Springs, Harrisburg, Inca, Kelso, Midland, Midway, Mountain Pass, Needles, Niland, Nipton, Ogilby, Parker, Parker Dam, Picacho, Ripley, Shoshone, Tecopa, Valley Wells, Vibal, Wheaton Springs (and Yuma, AZ).

It shows four hundred five (405) gold mines and gold prospecting and panning locations from official geological records of the State of California and the federal government. Locations for finding gold are shown within 15 miles of each of the above listed places. These gold deposit locations, which show where gold has been found in the past, are clearly marked. A good gift.

The map is done in color. The margin of the map has text that tells where to look for gold in california a streambed, how to tell "fools gold" from real gold and gives step-by-step gold panning instructions. You can quickly learn to pan by following the instructions on the map.

GOLD MINES AND GOLD IN CALIFORNIA, GOLD PROSPECTING  REGION 1

Gold in California Region 1 embraces the eastern area of Southern California from Death Valley to the Mexican Border. Some of the mountain ranges in California Gold Region 1 are Nopah, Big Maria, Cargo Muchacho, Chocolate, Chuckwalla, Providence, Funeral, Inyo and Whipple.

There are gold prospecting and gold mining sites in California Gold Region 1 within fifty miles of Las Vegas along Interstate 15. Gold mining and prospecting locations are shown  west of Needles near Interstate 40, west of Blythe near Interstate 10 and along the California side of the Colorado River north of Interstate 8 just a few miles from Yuma, Arizona. 

A California Division of Mines and Geology document mentions that mining was done by Spaniards as early as 1780-81 in the Cargo Muchacho Gold District, about 15 miles northwest of Yuma, Arizona.  Later, mining was resumed under Mexican rule. This is believed to be the first gold mined in what is now the State of California.

The Cargo Muchacho Gold District received it's name of Cargo Muchacho, or Loaded Boy, when two young Mexican boys came into camp one evening with their shirts loaded with gold. American gold miners became interested in this district after the end of the Mexican War in 1848. Large scale gold mining was done there to depths of 1,000 feet. 

The Potholes and Picacho gold mining districts also lie in the southeastern part of Imperial County, about 50 miles east of El Centro and 20 miles north of Yuma. Small scale gold mining began in the Potholes Gold in California was under Spanish rule. The district was named Potholes because the gold was found in small depressions or pots. As many as 500 Mexicans and Indians could be seen working the dry washes. It is probable  that the Spanish mined the Picacho Gold District as early as 1780. Gold in california has also been mined in the Chocolate Mountains in Imperial County, notably northeast of Glamis.

The Chuckwalla Gold District, in the Chuckwalla Mountains of Southeastern Riverside County , was organized in the 1880's and gold mining continued through the early 1900's. There is a considerable number of gold mines and gold prospects in this area.

Gold in california prospecting and mining has been done in the Clark Mountain Range in San Bernardino County since the early 1880's, and since at least 1882 in the Ivanpah Gold  District, both of which are just off of Interstate 15 and about 35 miles northeast of Baker. Many gold deposits have been discovered through the years both east and west of Death Valley National Monument in Inyo County.

Modern-day gold prospectors hunt for gold with metal detectors in this area of Southern California during the cooler seasons. They use their metal detectors to scan placers for gold nuggets in the dry washes and the tailings from earlier gold mining operations. Dry washers are used to recover fine gold and nuggets.

The hundreds of dry washes originating in, and coming down from, the mountain ranges, as shown on Gold in California Prospecting and Panning Map 1, offer opportunities to find more gold.

Gold in California

Our Gold in California panning map shows there are currently 17,911 active gold mining claims and 17,332 abandoned claims located throughout the state. Of those active claims, 9,467 are lode claims and 8,444 are placer claims. Of those abandoned claims, 10,091 are lode and 7,241 are placer. Gold in california's active gold mining claims represent about 5% of all gold claims in America.

	When you first open the Gold in California map you will see a satellite view of the state with little yellow clusters throughout. Those yellow clusters represent areas where you’ll find high concentrations of active gold mining claims. This view of these yellow clusters gives us an incredibly precise view of where most of Gold in california is being found. This near real-time look at these gold bearing areas is simply not possible with traditional fold-out paper maps.
	Now zoom in about 90 miles NE of Sacramento to a little resort town called Bucks Lake. You can clearly see the active (yellow) and abandoned (blue) gold mining claims boundaries throughout the area. You are now on public land in the Plumas National Forest. That means you can find dozens of non-claimed public gold in California panning sites for you and your family to try your luck at. The boundaries shown are accurate to within feet of what you’ll see at ground level.
	Zoom in further still and you can click on any active or abandoned gold claim for ownership and other information about the claim. This information is to help those prospectors wanting to establish their own claims. Recreational gold panners should not try to contact claim holders and always stay away from claimed property. Use the claims to guide you to where the action is but always respect the property rights of others.
	Still looking at the Bucks Lake area, turn on the Google Earth™ overlay entitled Places of Interest. Now you can see Plumas National Forest campgrounds, ranger stations, hiking trails, hotels and stores. You can zoom in further still to get a birds-eye view of roads, creeks and other points of interest. Using Google Earth™ satellite imagery, altitude and distance measuring tools will eliminate most surprises like, “I didn’t know that hill was so steep.”

California Gold Panning Notes: None of the Gold in California images above show just how close you can zoom in to see gold in California panning sites. You’ll be amazed at how crisp the satellite imagery is and how much exploring and planning you can do from the comfort of your home. And Google Earth™ is a free download.