The California Gold Rush (1848-1855) started on January 24, 1848. It attracted nearly 300,000 prospectors. The gold was discovered by James W.
Marshall at Sutter's Lumber Mill in Coloma, California. Approximately $2 billion worth of gold was extracted from here. All this gold found in California was one of the reasons why this state is nicknamed the “Golden State”. This sudden rush of people mining for gold in California also destroyed much of the landscape. This gold rush also sparked the invention of Levi Jeans, it was worn by the men who would be mining for gold. The men who were apart of this gold rush were also nicknamed the “49’ers”.