Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park |
|
|---|---|
The actual spot where James W. Marshall discovered gold in 1848
|
|
 Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park
Location in California
Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Coloma, California, U.S. |
| Nearest city | Placerville, California |
| Area | 576 acres (233 ha) |
| Established | 1942 |
| Governing body | California Department of Parks and Recreation |
| Official name: Marshall Monument | |
| Reference #: | 143 |
| Official name: Gold Discovery Site | |
| Reference #: | 530 |
Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park is a special state park in California, United States. It marks the exact place where gold was first found by James W. Marshall in 1848. This amazing discovery happened at a place called Sutter's Mill and kicked off the famous California Gold Rush.
The park includes a big part of the old town of Coloma, California. This town is now seen as a ghost town, which means most people have moved away. It is also a National Historic Landmark, recognized for its important history. Inside the park, you can find two special California Historical Landmarks. One is a monument built to remember James Marshall. The other marks the exact spot where he first saw the gold. The park was created in 1942 and covers about 576 acres.
Contents
Exploring the Park's Features
The park offers many exciting things to see and do. You can drive along California State Route 153, which is entirely inside the park. This road takes you to the top of a hill where a monument to James W. Marshall stands tall.
Gold Discovery Museum
The Gold Discovery Museum is a great place to learn about the past. It has many items from the Gold Rush era. You can see old mining tools, wagons pulled by horses, and household items from that time. It's like stepping back in time to see how people lived and worked during the gold rush.
American River Nature Center
The American River Nature Center is another cool spot. It is run by the American River Conservancy. Inside, you'll find colorful murals showing local wildlife. There are also hands-on exhibits where you can touch and explore. You can see animal mounts and even some live small animals. It's a fun way to learn about the nature around the park.
History of the Gold Discovery Site
The story of the park is deeply connected to the discovery of gold and the people who wanted to remember it.
Building the Marshall Monument
In 1886, a group called the Native Sons of the Golden West from Placerville felt strongly that James Marshall deserved a monument. They wanted to mark his grave and honor him as the "Discoverer of Gold." Five years after Marshall passed away, in May 1890, their efforts paid off. The State Legislature agreed and provided $9,000 to build the monument and his tomb. This was the first monument of its kind built in California.
The Statue of Marshall
A statue of Marshall stands on top of the monument. It shows him pointing towards the exact spot where he found gold in 1848. This monument was honored again on October 8, 2010. This special event was held by the Native Sons of the Golden West, Georgetown Parlor #91. It celebrated the 200th anniversary of James W. Marshall's birth.
