The gold rush in California accelerated the western migration of thousands of young American men, who streamed into California to find riches. See who else arrived in California and find out what they did. In addition, there is a map...

The allure of getting rich quick by finding gold or silver was just a dream for most prospectors. Read about the gold and silver rushes that usually ended up enriching the mining industry, not the miner. Find out about the make-up of the...

A rich site on the California gold rush, 1848-1858. An online exhibit traces the gold rush using primary sources, a teacher page gives lesson plans from 4-12 and a kid's page offers further online adventures. Takes a long time to load.

Information about women in the California gold camps.

Audio-pictorial overview of the story of the California gold rush.

This CalGoldRush.com site contains information on justice and law in California during the gold rush. Many felons lost their lives at the end of a rope.

Provides pictures and information about hydraulic mining (using jets of water to break down gold-laden gravel banks) for gold.

Provides pictures and information about hydraulic mining (using jets of water to break down gold-laden gravel banks) for gold.

Provides pictures and information about hydraulic mining (using jets of water to break down gold-laden gravel banks) for gold.

This article from the Sacramento Bee discusses the rise of journalism during the California gold rush. Many journalists left their jobs and headed west to cover this great event.

A map of California from 1904 showing the State capital of Sacramento, major cities and towns, railroads, mountain systems, lakes, rivers, and coastal features. "California, first settlement made in 1769 by the Spaniards. Gold was...