Gold at Sutter's Mill: The West Rushes In
James Marshall was building a sawmill for John Sutter on the American River when he noticed flecks of gold glinting in the tailrace on January 24, 1848. Sutter tried to keep the discovery secret because he feared a gold rush would destroy his agricultural empire. He was right. Within months, his workers abandoned their jobs, squatters overran his land, and his cattle were slaughtered by hungry prospectors. California's non-Native population exploded from roughly 14,000 to over 300,000 by 1852. Most prospectors found nothing. The real money went to merchants who sold picks, shovels, and blue jeans. Levi Strauss made his fortune selling canvas pants. Sam Brannan, who ran through the streets of San Francisco shouting 'Gold! Gold!', became California's first millionaire by selling mining supplies at enormous markups. Sutter died in poverty. Marshall drank himself to death.
January 24, 1848
178 years ago
Key Figures & Places
California Gold Rush
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James W. Marshall
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gold
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Sutter's Mill
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Sacramento, California
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California gold rush
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James W. Marshall
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Gold
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Sutter's Mill
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Sacramento, California
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California
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Gold rush
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Pépite d'or
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