Traveling up Highway 49 when you’re sleepy is not the best time to try and drive through the heart of California history. We can understand how Coloma and the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park seem a world away. Still, this sleepy stretch of winding Highway 49 was once home to one of the most significant events in California’s history. You see, over 130 years ago, James Marshall happened upon small glimmers of gold on a sunny February day back in 1848 while working at Sutter’s Mill don’t-blink town. From there, “The 1849 Gold Rush” all began – marking one of the most impactful events in our nation’s history.
Around 1850, a sleepy little settlement just four miles off the main Chico-Butte Road started taking shape. Today, Coloma has lots to offer: The Maidu Museum displays some of the same tools used by Native Americans to quarry stone, and your ticket also allows you access to some 70 percent of the town (with its historic buildings!)—the rest is owned by private homeowners including many splendid mining-era houses and an 1860s stagecoach inn.
The Gold Discovery Museum is a great place to start learning about the history of California’s precious metals and their significant impact on the state’s history. You’ll find exhibits ranging from looks at the different cultures from around the world involved during the gold rush to background on local native peoples, as well as shows that include historical artifacts such as a look at machines used in mining or a replica blacksmith shop, for example.
Some of the most exciting parts of this museum include the life-size replicas of John Sutter’s Mill and James Marshall’s cabin, where you can explore what it must have been like back then.
Lastly and most uniquely, there is a towering monument dedicated to Marshall himself that features his likeness extending his arm towards where he first made the discovery – which is very symbolic considering all this led to California becoming known worldwide.
Kids can give gold-panning a try on the Gold Discovery Tour; a guided experience offered twice a day provides insights on the events that led up to the discovery and the boom that followed. After, explore leafy trails along the river to find a shady picnic spot. If you’re up for an excursion, there are two excellent trails in the park. The 1.5-mile Monument Loop Hike includes a 250-foot climb that ends at the James Marshall Monument. The Monroe Ridge Trail is a moderately demanding 2.3-mile hike with a 400-foot elevation gain, linking the Marshall Monument with North Beach Picnic Area.
Stick around for supper. You should visit The Argonaut Farm to Fork Cafe, housed in a historic building just a few doors down from the blacksmith shop and is partnered with local Bee Love Farms! That’s because the organic heirloom tomatoes, greens, and edible flowers from their neighborhood farm are incorporated into the menu at this eatery that serves up café staples alongside simple but delicious fare such as wood-fired pizza and wood-grilled and house-made sausages.
