Abstract
The discovery of placer gold initiated some of the most spectacular migrations ever to occur in the American West. The discovery of gold in California in 1848, of course, touched off the first of the western mining rushes. More importantly, its backwash led to the development of the rest of the mountain West. From California, the mining frontier moved eastward and subsequently enveloped most of the West. The background of the discovery of gold in California needs but cursory attention here. On January 24, 1848, in the course of constructing a sawmill on the American River, James Marshall noticed flecks of gold along the tailrace. Gradually, news of the discovery spread throughout California and then to the eastern United States and Europe. Extension of the gold region coincided with the arrival of the heavy immigration of 1849-1850.
Recommended Citation
Rohe, Rand E.
(1986)
"Goldrush Migrations and Goldfield Populations in the American West 1848-1880,"
The Geographical Bulletin: Vol. 28:
Iss.
1, Article 1.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/thegeographicalbulletin/vol28/iss1/1
