LearnCalifornia.org - Gold Mining Chronology, 1775-1848

Gold Mining Chronology, 1775-1848
from Gold Districts in California, Bulletin 193, California Department of Mines and Geology

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1775-80	The first known discovery of gold in California was made in the Potholes district, Imperial County. Mining extended into the Cargo Muchacho and Picacho districts.

1828	A small placer gold deposit was found at San Diego County.

1835	The placer deposits in San Francisquito Canyon, Los Angeles County, were discovered.

1842	Gold was discovered in Placerita Canyon, Los Angeles County. Some sources give the date of this discovery as 1841.

1848	Gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill at Coloma on the American River by James Marshall. Although the exact date has been the subject of some discussion, it is officially designated as January 24. The first printed notice of the discovery was in the March 15 issue of The California in San Francisco. Shortly after Marshall's discovery General John Bidwell discovered gold in the Feather River and Major Pearson B. Reading found gold in the Trinity River. The gold rush was soon in full sway as thousands of gold seekers poured into California.

Source: Gold Districts of California, Bulletin 193, California Division of Mines and Geology, 1970