FUN WITH MAPS – ISSUE 2022-015 DAILY FEATURE:

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (January 24, 2022) – In Issue 2022-015 of Steve Kovacs Fun with Maps, we celebrate the start of the California Gold Rush.

FORTY-NINERS

James Marshall did do more than anyone else to drive California’s economy, but he profited little and is largely forgotten.

He discovered gold at Sutter’s Mill in Coloma, central California in 1848 on this day.

The mad rush ensued as about 30,000 people came to make it rich over the next few years – this was the largest voluntary mass migration in US history. The Forty-niners.

They caused havoc, environmental harm, displaced Native Americans in their thirst for gold.  They also perfected mining techniques, gave reason for the completion of railroads across the continent and accelerated California achieving statehood.

However, the people who really profited from all this were largely the ones who supplied goods and services to the miners.  Eggs often went for $25 an egg and good boots for $2000/pair.   Among the merchants and businesses establishing their enterprises during the Gold Rush were Levi Strauss of blue jeans fame, Wells Fargo, Armour Foods, etc.  The businesses gave rise to the rapid development of nearby Sacramento and San Francisco with its port facilities. 

About 750,000 pounds of gold was unearthed and panned during the Gold Rush.  That is worth close to $20 billion today.    

Here is Mitchell’s seminal map of the US West from 1849, with the inset on the bottom of the Gold Rush area.

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps.

Visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Steve Kovacs: Antique Maps & Fun Facts here on Loveland Beacon.