The California Gold Rush started in 1848 and contributed to populating the southwest coast of the US. Despite the thirst for gold, even then it wasn’t a popular area for settlers. This was due in part to severe heat and drought, an absence of dependable water sources, and broad territories that were hard to farm. Furthermore, California was Mexican territory until the end of the Mexican-American War in 1848. This territory didn’t officially pass into the control of the US until the signing of the peace treaty.
The Sierra Nevada mountain range in the center of California was also unfamiliar and largely unexplored for a long time. Even at the height of the Gold Rush, many potential prospectors didn’t want to travel to this snowy, icy-cold wilderness. On the other end of the spectrum lies the Mojave desert – another part of the Gold Rush geography.
Here, it’s hard not to mention Death Valley – the hottest and driest place on the planet.
The temperatures in this place can soar to a scorching 120°F, with the record of 134°F in 1913. Although Death Valley is one of the most popular places among Gold Rush-era tourists, it harbors a lot of dangers. This area earned its name for a reason. In 1849, a group of settlers wanting to get to the gold mines faster decided to take a shortcut through the desert, but one man never made it to the destination. The others crossed the valley hungry and thirsty and decided to call it Death Valley, so the name quickly caught on.
Today, Death Valley is a national park visited by over a million and a half people a year. Besides realizing that you’re in the hottest place on earth, you can witness many amazing natural wonders, for example, the mysterious sailing stones. These stones spontaneously “sail” across the desert floor all by themselves. Depending on their size and diameter, any of these rocks can travel from twenty to six hundred feet a year, and they can even sometimes change their direction.
Throughout the desert, you can find different ghost towns that developed around precious metal deposits in the 19th century. One of them is Calico, which had over five hundred gold and silver mines in its heyday. However, by the early 20th century, the luster of silver started to wane, so the town became almost completely deserted.
Years later, businessman Walter Knott saw potential in the ruins of Calico, bought the town, and transformed it into a nice tourist spot “stuffed” with Wild West nostalgia. Here, visitors can even ride a miniature railway that tours the remains of the old mines.
Unlike Calico, many Gold Rush-era towns have been left to ruin, as they weren’t so lucky. Let’s take a look at some lesser-known but fascinating towns that have also managed to survive:
Julian
Located in San Diego County, Julian was born from a large goldfield discovery in the late 19th century. It seemed overnight that a small tent settlement in the desert turned into a bustling metropolis as miners from around the country poured in, hoping to quickly get rich thanks to this town. Now, Julian captivates visitors with its museum-like feel, giving an authentic look into the Wild West.
Mammoth Lakes
At 7,880 feet of elevation, Mammoth Lakes is now more well-known as a California ski tourism center than a Golden Rush-era town. But its human history stretches back thousands of years, as indigenous peoples farmed here in warmer months and migrated to lower valleys in winter. Europeans started to settle in 1877 after a group of four gold miners struck luck in the center of town. Eventually, more Easterners arrived and got rich thanks to nearby rivers.
Quincy
Lying in Plumas County, Quincy is steeped in Gold Rush-era nostalgia. The small town has managed to keep the spirit of its historic past with authentic bars, vintage signboards, and lovingly repaired storefronts. Quincy is near the Feather River that once supported hundreds of mining operations. Tourists can explore Gold Rush tales at the town’s local museum or wander cozy streets with century-old buildings.
By the end of the 19th century, the California Gold Rush was considered over — but small pieces of gold kept appearing for decades. A few towns still draw modern prospectors interested in properties that may contain undeveloped veins of precious metal (for example, Bodie and Loyalton). Thus, in some way, the spirit of Gold Rush is still kept alive by fortune-seekers. Who knows where the next big nugget will come from? Let’s hope to hear more optimistic and lucky news from modern gold prospectors!
