By Isaac Capezzuti

The Gold Rush started when a man by the name of James W. Marshell was working at Sutters Mill. He claims he was walking when something shiny caught his eye. It was gold! Mashell Mill is located in Coloma California. Started a huge surge in California's population. The population of San Fransico went from 800 in 1848 to 25,000 in 1850

It was not uncommon to make around 2,000 dollars a day. Most people made just enough money to eat. The most money the gold rush made at one point was in 1853 and it peaked at 60 million.

These towns were dangerous, uncomfortable, and very hard work. Miners had a constant fear of physical danger, malnutrition and harsh environment and living conditions. Dancing, singing, and playing instruments was a way to deal with stress. Many lived in tents and cooked over a open fire.

Panning or Place MiningShaft Mining Most popular mining method Sat beside a river and used a pan, a rocker/cradle devise, or a sluice box to wash gold nuggets out of loose rock and gravel. Go underground and build a mine shaft. Much more expensive and dangerous.

People from all over the world travelled to San Francisco. Many of the people had no experience in mining. Most of the miners were young unmarried men. About 5% were Women and children. About 80% of them were American

If they already lived in the United States the would usually make the trip on a wagon. This trip usually took around three months. If you didn’t live in the United States you would ride a boat down the Atlantic Ocean, around the southern tip of South America and up the Pacific coast. It was pretty safe but took six to eight months to arrive.

Women made a lot of money at the Mining camps because they would cook the miners food. The first person to a new sight would be the one to claim it. Two mining towns were Hangtown and Dry Diggings. The Gold Rush got people to start to move more western.