Migration Memorials - California

California Gold Discovery Site: John Marshall Memorial

ffitch@unc.edu — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 01:18:54 +0000

Description:

This monument was erected to memorialize John Marshall, the miller who found gold in the tail-chase of Sutter's Mill.

LocationMem:

California Gold Discovery State Park

Institution:

California State Parks

Official/Unofficial:

Official

Historical Subject:

John Marshall was a miller who partnered with John Sutter to build a mill. Shortly after Sutter's Mill was operational, gold was discovered in the tail-chase of the mill, sparking the California Gold Rush.

Physical Aspects:

This memorial is a tall marble pedestal topped with a bronze statue of John Marshall.

A bronze plaque reads: In 1887 the State of California purchased the site for a monument to commemorate James Marshall, who in 1848 discovered gold near Coloma. Marshall's discovery started the 'gold rush,' that westward trek of Argonauts that marked a turning point in California history. The figure of Marshall atop the monument is pointing to the place of discovery on the South Fork of the American River.

Date of Dedication:

June 1934

Place Location:

Files:

Themes:

California

California Gold Rush

California history

John Marshall

San Francisco Pioneer Monument Early Days Statue

ffitch@unc.edu — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 00:17:50 +0000

Description:

The San Francisco Pioneer Monument centers around a tall mable pedestal topped with a bronze statue of Athena, the Greek Goddess of Way, inset with bronze plaques and bas reliefs, and surrounded by three smaller statues depicting eras of California history.

LocationMem:

San Francisco Pioneer Monument

Institution:

The Estate of John Lick

Official/Unofficial:

Unofficial

Group Acknowledged:

California Indians, Mexican Californios, American Pioneers, Miners, Settlers

Historical Subject:

This statue represents the stages of California history and memorializes those who settled the state: the California Indians, the Spanish Missionaries, the Mexicanos, the pioneers, and the miners.

Physical Aspects:

This statue represents the stages of California history and memorializes those who settled the state. The bronze statue on top of the pedestal represents Athena/Minerva, the Greek/Roman goddess of war, representing the state.

The bronze bas relief plaques depict four stages of history: "Crossing the Sierra", "Vaqueros Lassoing a Bull", "Trapper Trading Skins with Indians", and "Progress under American Rule". Portrait bas reliefs represent the white men considered founders of the state: Sir Francis Drake, John Sutter, John Fremont, Father Junipero Serra, as well as James Lick, who commissioned the monument.

Four smaller stone stands support more representatives around the base of the monument. Two statues are women representing "Commerce" and "Prosperity". A third, "'49", has three gold miners.

The fourth, "Early Days" holds three figures: a missionary and a vaquero standing over the prone form of a California Indian. In 2018, this statue was removed and put into storage after a decades long effort by the California Indians.

Date of Dedication:

November 1849

Place Location:

Files:

Themes:

Father Junipero Serra

State Indian Musuem

ffitch@unc.edu — Mon, 04 Mar 2019 00:45:22 +0000

Description:

California's first Indian museum. Opening in 1940 and updated in 1984, this museum is still in use.

LocationMem:

State Indian Museum, Sacramento CA

Institution:

California State Parks

Official/Unofficial:

Official

Group Acknowledged:

California Indians

Historical Subject:

This was the first museum in the state of California dedicated to the California Native Americans. The museum focuses on the history and culture of California native tribes. Beginning with the history prior to the arrival of the Spanish, through the Mission system, the Gold Rush, to the modern day. The Museum has exhibits on culture past and present. Most popular is the display of woven basketry.

Physical Aspects:

This small stone building, washed white in keeping with Mission era architecture, is a functioning museum. Inset into the door of the museum is a bronze plaque.

The plaque reads:

"The State Indian Museum was built fifty years ago as California's first state-run museum devoted to Indian cultures. It continues to serve the same purpose today, displaying an updated (1984) major exhibit on California's Indian peoples."

Date of Dedication:

August 1990

Place Location:

Files:

Themes:

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: