It all started in 1848 in California. James W. Marshall was working by the riverside when he found some small pieces of yellow metal in the water. He showed them to his boss. It was gold. The two men tried to keep this discovery a secret but without success. Soon, the magic word “gold” was repeated all around the world.

Everybody wanted to go to California to get rich. Thousands of people started to rush to the golden river by horse, by ship and even on foot. Night after night, a few more new towns appeared along the river. Some people brougth tents to live in while others built wooden huts. Looking for gold was hard work and many people were disappointed. Only the lucky ones found gold – sometimes up to $2,000 in one day.

It is not surprising that many small hotels, restaurants and bars opened in new cities. Their owners made fortunes providing their services to people who arrived in town in search of gold.

By the end of 1850, the California Gold Rush was over. However, about 47 years later gold was discovered again, this time in Canada. Once more, over a thousand people left their homes and families to look for a better future.

Today, at the original site of the California Gold Rush, near Sacramento, visitors can still try their luck with the yellow pieces of metal in the river. The old buildings have been redecorated and tourists can experience the life of the old days. Many of them are sure that they can find at least a small bit of gold.