California Goldrush and the 49ers, last updated 5/10/98

Related historical timeline created with Timeliner (Nobles grad, Tom Snyder)

From the mid-19th century until the early 20th century, the amount of Gold rushes was amazing. This resulted in a large number of miners forming overnight mining camps in search of gold. The first large gold rush occurred in California in 1849.
In 1849, the news of gold discovery in California spread like wildfire across the country. The opportunity for a quick fortune in mining gold in the West was very attractive to people all across the world.
The growth in California's population almost doubled as 49ers formed camps and created small settlements. This led to a large international migration from Mexico, Europe, Australia, and China. The 49ers were a small part of westward expansion in America.
--Kevin Lyons, class of 2000

--history teacher-Don Allard
**sources-The reader's companion to American History edited by Eric Foner & John A. Garraty

Graphics of the Gold Rush

  • Gold Fever
  • More Gold Fever
  • The precious treasure of California

    Related Web sites for the California Gold Rush

    1. Museum of SF general hstory
    2. Leslie Kelly and her takes on the gold rush
    3. Eugene Ring and his thoughts of the gold rush