|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Living History Days – Throughout the
year are "Living History Days" and special events. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 In January is Gold Discovery Day, celebrating the event that sparked the California gold rush. Kids can learn about daily life of miners and pioneers in gold towns, play traditional 19th century games, take a horse carriage ride, and, of course, pan for gold. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coloma Gold Rush Live in October, volunteers wear period clothes of miners, tradesmen, mountain men, soldiers, blacksmith, doctor, laundress, etc. Watch ladies making lace, darning socks, making a wool cape, baking bread and pies in a wood fire, churning butter, or spinning wool, a blacksmith hammering a toasting fork, photographer taking photos 1852 style, and cannon firing demonstration. Kids can play traditional games, such as hoops and stilts, learn how to pan for gold, make candles and rope, listen to fiddle tunes, snack on traditional candies and baked goods (cooked in a wood fire!), and take a wagon ride. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sutter's Mill – Start your explorations at the
wooden sawmill. It's a replica of the original and it's been moved from
the original site along the river, but it's impressive. There are ranger
talks and a sawmill demonstration, where you can see the parts move. Nearby
are samples of the original handhewn timbers and a mill worker's cabin. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Gold
Discovery Site – On the Sawmill Monument Trail, walk from the original
mill site along the river, to the small section of river
where gold was found. It's a short walk and close by is the North Beach
picnic area. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Museum (Visitor Center) – See video presentations about
the discovery that changed California overnight from a sleepy frontier
territory into a populous state. Dioramas show James Marshall discovering gold on January 24, 1848, Indians who lived in the area for centuries before the gold rush, and typical store. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
In front of the museum, check out the old ore car, stamp mill, hydraulic mining nozzle, and miner's cabin. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Wah Hop Store – Step into an 1860 store for the Chinese community, it was bank, had herbal medicines, food and everyday items. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Blacksmith Shop – The blacksmith's shop was essential to
the frontier town, to make hammers, saws, nails, shovels, axes, horseshoes
and wagon wheels. At the blacksmith shop, there are demonstration using
traditional tools, a wood fire and anvil to forge implements. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Pan for gold – Buy pans at Marshall's Mercantile
and pan for gold in the American River (cross the bridge to the other side
of the river). Or, if you want results, you can pan for gold in troughs
behind Bekeart's Gunshop. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
James Marshall Monument – Although Marshall discovered
gold, he didn't make millions and died poor in 1885. He did get a wonderful
monument at the top of the hill, overlooking the American River. You can
drive or hike up to the monument (2.3 miles from the North Beach Picnic
Area). From the top you get a good view of the Sierra foothills. Nice picnic
tables in the shade. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
North Beach picnic area – At the north end of Coloma, North Beach is a large picnic area, with tables in the shade next to the river. Watch people rafting and kayaking down the river while you eat your lunch. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Go rafting – On hot summer days, one of our favorite things to do in the Sierra foothills is rafting on the American River. Choose from South Fork two hour family float trips to half day trips, Middle Fork rafting trips with rapids for thrill-seeking teens. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Guides, lifejackets, paddles, helmets, rafts, are provided, just wear lots of sunscreen, water shoes or sandals, and be prepared to get wet. Rafting companies are located on Highway 49, short distance from Coloma. |
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
"Boys, I believe I found a gold mine!" exclaimed James Marshall on January 24, 1848. This was the beginning of a stampede to the goldfields. First hand accounts of hardships, toil and treasure, vividly illustrated. (Illustrated chapter book)
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Illustrated history of the Gold Rush, from discovery of gold here at Coloma, to growing boomtowns, miners at work in the goldfields, tales of riches and losses, plus historical photos. (Chapter book)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
Action-packed overview of the gold rush, starting right here in Coloma. James Marshall discovers gold while building Sutter's Mill. When the news gets out, prospectors come, but at the end of the day, Sutter is ruined. (Graphic novel)
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Gold disovered in California, prospectors came from all other the world – how to get there (overland or by sea), panning for gold, dangers and disasters, million dollar ideas. Historical details and illustrations. (Picture book)
|
|
|
|
