MARSHALL GOLD DISCOVERY STATE HISTORIC PARK
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Historic park in Coloma Valley, featuring a James Marshall memorial statue and a beautiful replica of the sawmill
This is one of the Gold Country 's must-see tours ! This historic park is located in the Coloma Valley. From Sacramento, follow US 50 West to the Ponderosa Road exit. Turn left onto Shingle Road, then right onto North Shingle Road. Follow Lotus Road then CA 49 south to Coloma.
In 1947, John Sutter (founder of Sacramento) and James Marshall began construction of a sawmill near Coloma. As the work progressed, on the morning of January 24, 1848, Marshall spotted golden crumbs in the waters of the South Fork American River. It took him only a few seconds to confirm his incredible discovery by exclaiming, " Boys, by God, I believe I've found a gold mine. The Gold Rush was about to begin...
Today, this park features a statue commemorating James Marshall and a beautiful replica of Sutter's Mill built by J. Sutter. The Gold Discovery Museum traces the lives of Sutter and Marshall, and the stages of the Gold Rush. It also offers an exhibition on the tools of the gold diggers and a documentary film. Finally, you can try your hand at a goldpanning technique, which consists of separating the gravel from the fine sand in order to recover the gold contained in the sediment. Children can even complete a program and become an apprentice Ranger! The park also has two beautiful period churches.