The anniversary of James W. Marshall‘s discovery of gold in 1848 while overseeing the construction of a sawmill near Coloma, California, is commemorated with an annual celebration at the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park on the weekend nearest January 24. An employee of John A. Sutter, a wealthy entrepreneur, Marshall noticed flakes of gold in the streambed as he was inspecting work on the mill. Marshall’s cabin is now part of the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, and Sutter’s home is part of a museum and park in Sacramento. Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary