A Rush of Gold Seekers By 1849, the non-native population of California had grown to almost 100,000 people. Nearly two-thirds were Americans. Upon arrival in California, immigrants learned mining ...

An astounding amount of gold was pulled from the ground during the California gold rush. In 1852 the take for ... The land was so rich with gold that one miner later built a three-story mansion ...

"The post-gold rush era was the most dangerous ... even carrying knives while wielding mining tools. About 300,000 heavily-armed settlers descended to California to hunt for gold.

It is said to have led to the enslavement of more than 25,000 Native Americans in California. Many Black Americans garnered wealth during the gold rush by opening up shops and mining for gold.