The 49ers is a nickname for those who flocked to northern California in 1849, hoping to take advantage of the gold rush. The influx of opportunists was a boon for California's economy and hastened in its admittance into the Union in 1850. The gold rush of 1849 was sparked by the discovery of gold. In early 1848 in California. Sacramento valley. Its impact on the history of the American. West during the 19th century was immense. To the next year's thousands of gold miners traveled to California to” strike it rich” By the end of 1849, the population of California. Had emerged by more than 86,000 inhabitants.
Who discovered it
Discovery of gold is attributed to James Marshall, who found flakes of gold in the American River while working for John Sutter at his ranch in Northern California on January 24th, 1848.Sutter was a pioneer who founded a colony he called Nueva Helvetia, or New Switzerland. Thís would later become.Sacramento.Marshall was the construction Superintendent who had. Been hired to build a mill for Sutter. This place would enter American lore as “Sutter's Mill,” The two men tried to keep the discovery quiet, but it was soon leaked and knew quickly of the gold that could be found in the river. It was feared that people would become greedy. And continue to take more.
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The American River and other nearby streams regularly gave up Nuggets the size of pumpkin seeds and many were as large as 7 to 8 ounces. These people made quick fortunes. It was a unique time in history where individuals with literally nothing to their name could become extremely wealthy. It was no surprise that gold fever hit so