I was able to visit the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park about a month ago; it was my first time back in decades, after first seeing the park during grade school. Unlike Huell, we didn’t meet any miners on our visit; but there’s still plenty to see and a lot to learn about California’s Gold Rush history and all the different types of people who have passed through the beautiful Coloma Valley.

Museum display

Exterior of a Chinese store building

Model of a stamp mill

Sutter’s mill replica

Pelton water wheel display

Huell visits Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park and meets up with members of its living history association who are dressed as actual miners from 1848, and who give him a good idea of what life was like back then. Huell also meets “James Marshall” himself who takes him to the exact spot gold was discovered 150 years ago. Along the way we not only learn how to pan for gold but learn that 80% of California’s Gold is still waiting to be discovered!

(Click on the linked image below to see the video.)