In 1839, on a 50,000 acre land grant from the Mexican government, Captain John Sutter settled in what is now the Sacramento area of California. In 1848, on Sutter's property, John Marshall discovered gold near the South Fork of the American River. in 1856 the first railroad in California connected Sacramento with Folsom and became the western terminus of the Pony Express from Missouri. In 1869, the transcontinental railroad was completed.

GOLD RUSH PLACES TO VISIT IN AND AROUND SACRAMENTO

Sutter's Fort
27th and L Streets

California Railroad Museum and Central Pacific Passenger Station
Second and I Streets

State Indian Museum
2618 K Street on the grounds of Sutter's Fort

Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park
Columa, Highway 49

Columbia State Historic Park
Gold panning and Wells Fargo Express Co building and stage coach rides

Grass Valley
Empire Mine State Historic Part 1 mile east of SR 49 at 10791 E. Empire Street

North Star Mining Museum
Allison Ranch Road at the end of Mill Street

Nevada City
Malakoff Diggings State Historic Park
27 miles N.E. of SR 49 off Tyler Foote Crossings Largest hydraulic gold mine, restored buildings