Coloma California Bird's Eye View 1909 Real Photo Postcard
Coloma, California, located in the Sierra Nevada foothills along the South Fork of the American River, holds a singular place in American history as the site where the California Gold Rush began. On January 24, 1848, James W. Marshall discovered gold at Sutter's Mill, an event that instantly transformed the landscape of California and triggered one of the largest migrations in human history.
This discovery led to Coloma's rapid development into a bustling mining town, serving as a hub for prospectors seeking their fortunes. While its peak boom period was relatively brief, the town's historical significance endures as the epicenter of an event that profoundly shaped California's economy, demography, and its eventual statehood. Today, much of Coloma is preserved as Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, commemorating this pivotal moment. The postcard likely dates from the early 20th century, capturing the town in a period after its initial gold rush frenzy but before significant modern expansion.
This discovery led to Coloma's rapid development into a bustling mining town, serving as a hub for prospectors seeking their fortunes. While its peak boom period was relatively brief, the town's historical significance endures as the epicenter of an event that profoundly shaped California's economy, demography, and its eventual statehood. Today, much of Coloma is preserved as Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, commemorating this pivotal moment. The postcard likely dates from the early 20th century, capturing the town in a period after its initial gold rush frenzy but before significant modern expansion.
