California is known all over the world for its rich mineral history and the plentiful gold rushes that led to its development over the years. It’s no wonder that the Smith River has become a hotbed for gold prospectors. This article outlines the history of gold activity on the pristine emerald waters of this river […]
California Gold Rush
Hydraulic Gold Mines of Dutch Flat, California
Dutch Flat is considered one of California’s richest historic gold mining sites. For a time, this mine in Placer County was bustling with activity. The ground was heavily claimed and worked extensively for decades. The site is now very popular, sitting right alongside Interstate 80 on the pass between Sacramento and Reno. When gold was […]
The California Gold Rush & The Rise of San Francisco
Ruggles Brothers Treasure – Stolen Gold in Redding, California
John and Charles Ruggles were the sons of a well regarded family living in Tulare County, located in the south/central part of California. Charles, the younger of the two attended college, and his father had every reason to believe young Charles would do well in life. John was another matter, as he had been a […]
The Saddle Ridge Hoard – $10 Million Dollar Gold Treasure Found
Who doesn’t wish to be rich overnight by discovering a treasure buried in the ground or by receiving a huge inheritance from a long lost relative? Stories such as these are incredibly fascinating as the very thought of becoming rich instantly is very tempting. Most of the times, however, these are merely stories and legends. […]
The Short History of Gold Mining on Catalina Island
“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” – Marcel Proust In the 1850s, the same thoughts were likely echoing in the minds of prospectors on the Santa Catalina Island off the coast of California. During the California gold rush, these enterprising miners began quietly searching for […]
Amador City and the Keystone Gold Mine
Between 1848 and 1967, 106 million troy ounces were recovered by hydraulic, placer or hard rock mining in California. Especially rich deposits of placer gold were located in what became known as the Mother Lode, a gold bearing area that stretched through the Sierra Nevada from Mormon Bar north to Georgetown. The Keystone mine was […]
Levi Strauss Makes a Fortune in the California Goldfields
Life sometimes can be very surprising looking at how it creates opportunities that change people’s lives when they are lucky enough to see and run with one. The California Gold Rush brought fortunes to many men, but more often than not the men who came to strike their fortunes returned home with little to show […]
Merced River Gold – Historic Mining Location on the River
Merced River Gold Mining The Merced River is an important gold-bearing river in northern California. The river flows through the heart of the Mother Lode, the richest gold regions in California. The river is a tributary of the San Joaquin River. When it comes to gold mining the river is famous for the Yosemite Valley […]
Gold Panning Locations on the Kern River
The Kern River originates in the southern extent of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Of all the major gold producing rivers in the California Mother Lode, the Kern River is the farthest south. Gold was first discovered on the river 1851 at the mouth of Greenhorn Creek, but it was not until mid-1850s than the real […]
Lucky Gold Miners hit it Big in Downieville
San Joaquin River Gold Panning Locations
Being the longest river on the mother lode, the San Joaquin River offers a great opportunity to anyone who wants to escape the bustling of the city and try their luck at finding gold. The river originates from the Sierra Nevada Mountains and flows for 366 miles through the San Joaquin valley before emptying into […]
San Andreas: A California Mining Town with Huge Gold Nuggets
The town of San Andreas California was founded in the winter of 1848 by Mexican miners that discovered gold in rich gravel deposits. The small town was most likely named in honor of Saint Andrew. It was on his day, November 30th of that founding year that the first mass was celebrated in the region. […]
3 Old Ghost Towns in California you Must Visit
It’s no surprise that California would have some interesting ghost towns, given the discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill in 1848, and the subsequent gold rush. Let’s take a look at three of the best ghost towns in California. BODIE The western slopes of the Sierra Nevada range began to see a decline […]
Rich Gold Prospecting Locations on the Stanislaus River
The Stanislaus River is one of the major gold-bearing rivers crisscrossing the Mother Lode in California. The river is the largest tributary of the San Joaquin River. It is roughly 95 miles in length and it is divided in to three forks (the North, Middle and South) with the longest fork being the Middle Fork. […]