Photos from Sutter Mill where gold was discovered that led to minting of the U.S. $20 gold pieces

1northcoin

Photos from this Saturday's returned annual "Gold Rush Live" event held at the site of Sutter Mill where gold was discovered in 1848. For the event a gold rush era town is recreated with period actors who remain in character.

First, here are photos of the Sutter Mill site itself and the American River waters that fed it:

Pictured here are the distant hills from where the gold originated before it was deposited into the river followed by a view looking downstream where the Sutter Mill had been positioned midway on the left bank:

Now photos, as we experienced it, of the "Gold Rush Live" event itself that is held here adjacent to the Sutter Mill site once each year:

And yes, there is still gold to be found in the waters of the South Fork American River there in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California:

coinsarefun

So cool. Thanks for posting. I need to try and do this. Looks like so much fun

1northcoin

As noted in the title, it was here at Sutter Mill where disbanded Mormon Battalion soldiers from the just ended Mexican-American War worked under the supervision of Marshall to build the log mill where the gold was found that set off the California Gold Rush. So much gold followed that it became the impetus for the minting of the larger sized gold pieces that we identify as $20 double eagles.

gumby1234

Nice family trip. Did you get to pan for gold and bring some back home?

PerryHall

The discovery of gold in CA also lead to the minting of the gold dollar in addition to the gold $20. It also resulted in the greatest peacetime migration of people in human history. Great pics and thanks for sharing.

TurtleCat

Great story and pics. Thanks for sharing!

kaz

thanks for the history and the photos. Great way to spend a day with the family!

ricko

Great pictures. Panning gold can be fun.... Usually, just gold dust is found, but it can mount up in a good area. I used to look for 'glory holes'.... they are deep depressions in a stream or in the rock bottoms where gold accumulates (being so heavy). Also the 'inside' bend in streams... The real fun comes when a nugget or two shows up in the pan... really exciting. Cheers, RickO

DrDarryl

The National Museum of American History | Smithsonian Institution has the actual nugget that started the California gold rush. See item #2.

crazyhounddog

I have visited the same place with my son when he was about 9 years old. He is 40 now. It’s a great place to visit at any age.
Thank you for sharing. Great pics too.

cucamongacoin

If you visit this area, make it a point to tour the goldmine and rock crusher in Placerville... great experience.

1northcoin

@DrDarryl said:
The National Museum of American History | Smithsonian Institution has the actual nugget that started the California gold rush. See item #2.

That is too cool. Thanks for contributing.

Capstick

Very Cool. Thank you for sharing.

coinsarefun

@DrDarryl said:
The National Museum of American History | Smithsonian Institution has the actual nugget that started the California gold rush. See item #2.

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This is awesome!. I’ve had the token marked #4 for several years now. I need to get #5 & 6 now
All kidding aside I would love to own one of each example on that board.

Steven59

Looks like a great time!!!

golden

A very cool place to visit. I was there in 1995.

coinsarefun

This is #4 on the plate coins of the National Museum of American History

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PerryHall

@coinsarefun said:
This is #4 on the plate coins of the National Museum of American History

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I always liked the dancing bears motif on that coin.

1northcoin

@gumby1234 said:
Nice family trip. Did you get to pan for gold and bring some back home?

Will definitely bring a pan if get a chance to visit the shores of the American River a next time.