- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park
Rating Details »
Categories: Landmarks & Historical Buildings, Hiking, Museums, Parks [Edit]
310 Back StreetColoma, CA 95613
(530) 622-3470
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
6 reviews for Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park
A great trek through history as you walk throughout the park. On site is the replica of the original Sutter's saw mill and over twenty historic buildings including mining, house, school, and store exhibits.
The original Saw Mill was abandoned and vandalized and finally disappeared in the floods of the 1850s. The replica was completed in 1968.
There is a short hike along the river that you can take that will lead you to the original site of the saw mill. A bit further down from there is the original site where James Marshall first plucked the gold nugget out of the river.
Across the road and walking back towards the visitor center are some Indian dwellings, and the Wah Hop Store. A Chinese general store which sold needed items to a large Chinese community who also searched for gold.
A lovely area to stroll thru. I read somewhere that many of the trees planted by the mining community were trees that reminded them of home. Sad actually as you realize how many of these men never did see their homes again after gold fever struck.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
I am fortunate to live close enough to the park to enjoy walking through it it a few times a week. It is one of my favorite places on earth. Not so much for the museum (which is small but good), but for the beauty of the meadows, the river, the bridge, the old buildings (including our working local post office), and the meandering paths taking you to new views and discoveries. There are fun events at all times of the year, and the Nature Center, which is nearby the museum, is definitely worth a stop. Usually, weekdays are very peaceful, rain or shine. You can't help but feel the history and the magic of the place. It really speaks to you.
Gosh, you'd think I liked this place or something.
Visit...it's worth the $5/car fee. But be ready to walk (preferably at a slow, relaxed pace) to enjoy this place fully. Enjoy!
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Funny (1)
- Cool (1)
I wish I could Strike some gold. I enjoy history. California History is particularly fascinating.
James W. Marshall discovered gold in 1848 on the South Fork of the American River in the valley the Nisenan Indians knew as Cullumah. This event led to the greatest mass movement of people in the Western Hemisphere and was the spark that ignited the spectacular growth of the West during the ensuing decades. The gold discovery site, located in the still visible tailrace of Sutter's sawmill, in present day Coloma California, is one of the most significant historic sites in the nation.
Source: California State Parks http://www.parks.ca.go...
San Francisco's History is entrenched in the history of Gold discovery.
There are exhibits and historic buildings. You can hike and picnic and learn something all in one boot.
There is so much variety in outdoor activities in California.
People thought this was:
- Useful (6)
- Funny (4)
- Cool (8)
This park will take you back to the old school when gold was worth millions. This place is authenticity to the max! The sight, smell and touch of everything will make you feel like you are back in the gold rush days. Lots of stuff to look at, you can get your hands on obtaining gold at the gold panning exhibit. The exhibit has a hot bed of fire going when you are done in order to warm up your hands. There is a complete old firewood and fresh oak smell to this area. Many historic houses still stand, and there are buildings dedicated to the animals, plants and machines used prior to becoming a ghost town.
Lots of cool little shops lining the historic stretch of road and even an ice cream parlor for a treat! There is a little store which features a very friendly miner whose rustic beard and stained thermal gear adds authenticity to this site. Also, the blacksmith shop opens early and there is actual metal work being done! There is an area to go trail hiking, spot for picnics, small museum to learn about the gold rush and many more historic natural edifices.
A definite must for the Californian and kids learning about Calfironia's history!
***** SEE PICS OF MY EXPERIENCE AT THE PICS SECTION *****
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Funny (1)
- Cool (2)
Every Californian (Or maybe every American) should visit this site at least once in their life. It's a small unassuming park and museum but the course of western history was dramatically altered due to the discovery of gold on this site in 1848. Whether you have a child in school that is learning about California history or are just curious about it yourself it's a not to be missed destination for all.
People thought this was:
- Useful (6)
- Funny (3)
- Cool (5)
*NOTE: This review is for the museum only, not for the rest of the gold discovery park.
The museum is very small, roughly the size of one exhibit in a large museum, but they have a lot of great artifacts and information that works well to inform but not overwhelm. I found myself actually reading everything that was there and studying the artifacts, imagining how and when they were used, instead of scanning over everything, breezing from room to room like I often do in large museums. Some of the cooler artifacts include a soy bean grinder, shoes (their feet were tiny back then!), and a small display of things from Chinese miners/homes. My grandmother, who's mother (i think) emigrated from China, recognized most of the things in that display as items she had in her childhood home. My grandma even bonded with another Chinese museum guest about her age, who also found delight in seeing those things again. CUTE. Unfortunately not everything is labeled, and if my grandma hadn't been there to tell us how things were used, it would have been a lot less interesting. They also show a short, rather out-of-date video on panning the river for gold, which I believe you can actually do there (we didn't). My family spent about 2 hours there, which was more than enough time to get a thorough look at everything and then some.
At $5/vehicle I'd say it's worth it to visit, but it's not something I would go back to or suggest to others if it was far away from them. I wish we would've gotten the chance to explore the park as it sounds as if that's the main attraction, while the museum serves as a solid introduction to really appreciate the rest.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Cool (1)