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How did the California Gold Rush begin in the Sierra Nevada region?

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map of western North America — Sierra Nevada Physical features of western North America.

The California Gold Rush began in the Sierra Nevada foothills on January 24, 1848, when James W. Marshall, a carpenter working for pioneer John Sutter, discovered flakes of gold in a streambed.12

The discovery occurred in the tailrace of a water-powered sawmill that Marshall was constructing for Sutter along the American River near Coloma, California. Although Sutter and Marshall attempted to keep the find a secret, news of the discovery spread rapidly, triggering a massive influx of fortune seekers to the region. This area, which became known as the Mother Lode Country, saw thousands of prospectors arrive within a year, fundamentally transforming the demographics and economy of California and the United States. The sudden surge of miners led to the rapid development of infrastructure, including banks, businesses, and early urban centers like Sacramento and San Francisco, while ultimately leading to the financial ruin of Sutter as his property was overrun by squatters.1324