California Gold Rush

After the discovery of gold in California by James Marshall at Sutter's Mill, an influx of settlers from all over the world were attracted to the northern California region between 1848 to 1856. The result of the gold rush was wide-spead for California's infrastructure and development, which lead to the admission of California as a state in 1850.

During the peak of the population influx in California in the mid-1800s the state saw a growing diversity in its inhabitants. With major publications printing stories on the gold rush, people from all over the world came to northern California. Also, the build-up of infrastructure in the state was increasingly evident. New roads, railway systems, and farming developments were established. In 1850, California applied for admission to become a state.

• January 24: Gold is discovered by James Marshall in the sawmill being built for John Sutter in Coloma

• February 2: Brig "Eagle" bought first shipload of Chinese workers to San Francisco

• March 11: Sutter's Mill is completed and ready to begin operations

• March 11: Gold is discovered by Mormons on the American River

• March 15: The Californian, a San Francisco newspaper, first reports the discovery

• May 12: Samuel Brannan runs up and down the streets of San Francisco shouting, "Gold! Gold! Gold from the American River!"

• May 16: Claude Chana and a party of Indians discover gold at Auburn Ravine

• August 19: An item on the discovery of gold is printed in The New York Herald

• October 6: The California, the first ship of the Pacific Mail Steamship Co., sets sail from New York to California

• December 5: President James Polk tells Congress about the gold in California, making gold fever stronger

• April 1: The Oregon arrives in San Francisco, with mail, supplies and passengers

• April 1: First wagon train leaves from Missouri and Iowa, with 20,000 people, headed for California

• June 23: Two nuggets, one 40 ounces and the other 25 pounds, are discovered in the American River

• December 31: Population of San Francisco was estimated at 100,000 including 35,000 people who came by sea, 3000 sailors who deserted ships and 42,000 who came overland

• April 13: Foreign Miners' Tax is passed, costing foreign miners a monthly license fee of $20

• May 1: The Panama sails for the East with $1,500,156 in gold dust

• California State Library: Gold Mania Satirized

• Library of Congress: Pictorial Americana: The Gold Rush

• Cartoon Stock: California Gold Rush Vintage Cartoon Images

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