California Gold Discovery Site: Sutter's Mill

ffitch@unc.edu — Mon, 04 Mar 2019 00:33:23 +0000

Description:

This site marks the spot where gold was discovered by John Marshall at Sutter's Mill in 1849.

LocationMem:

Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, Coloma CA

Institution:

California State Parks

Official/Unofficial:

Official

Group Acknowledged:

Gold Miners

Historical Subject:

In 1849, workers at Sutter's Mill in California discovered gold in the river, sparking the California Gold Rush and causing one of the major migrations in U.S. history. The original building fell into ruin and a memorial was eventually built using stone remains. Sutter's Mill is a part of Gold Discovery State Park.

Physical Aspects:

The monument itself sits on the shore of the American River and is constructed out of layered stone. The stone is laid in a traditional manner, but smaller stones of a lighter color have been inlaid to read "Sutter's Mill". A bronze memorial plaque is set in the middle of the stone monument.

The plaque reads:

"This monument marks the site of John A. Sutter's sawmill. In its tail-race, on January 24, 1848, James W. Marshall discovered gold and started great rush of Argonauts to California. The Society of California Pioneers definitely located and marked the site in 1924 - additional timbers and relics, including the original tailrace unearthed in 1947, were discovered after the property became a state park. The State erected the Marshall Monument overlooking this spot in 1890 through efforts begun in 1886 by the Native Sons of the Golden West."

Date of Dedication:

March 1955

Place Location:

Files:

Themes:

California

California Gold Rush

Gold Rush

Gold Discovery

Mill

mining

Native Americans

Reed Gold Mine

ffitch@unc.edu — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 23:48:56 +0000

Description:

The Reed Gold Mine is the site of first gold mine in the United States. A National Historic Landmark as well as a North Carolina Historic Site, the Reed Gold Mine is now a state park and is open to the public.

LocationMem:

Reed Gold Mine, Locust, NC.

Institution:

The Division of State Historic Sites and Properties

Official/Unofficial:

Official

Group Acknowledged:

Farmers turn gold miners

Historical Subject:

The Reed Gold Mine is the site of the first gold discovery in the United States in 1802. The mineshaft was built in 1825, and was sporadically operational until 1912. Now a state historic site, the mine is open to the public as a park.

Physical Aspects:

The Reed Gold Mine Site is an operational state park featuring a visitors center, a restored mill, underground restored miners tunnels, and hiking trails. The mineshaft facade is built from wooden logs framing the entrance and set into the earth. A bronze, white painted plaque greets visitors with text reading: "Reed Gold Mine: Gold discovered there 1799. Many gold mines were later operated in this area. N.C. was the chief gold-mining state to 1849. N. 4 mi."

Date of Dedication:

Nationally - 1966; State - 1971

Place Location:

Files:

Themes: