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1848 California Gold discovery May 29, 1848 – The Californian newspaper complained: “The whole country from San Francisco to Los Angeles, and from the sea shore to the base of the Sierra Nevadas, resounds with the sordid cry of gold, GOLD, GOLD! While the field is left half planted, the house half built, and everything neglected but the manufacture of shovels and pickaxes.” The Californian also announced suspension of publication because of staff leaving for the diggings. September 10, 1848 – Gold dust price set at $16 per ounce; San Francisco citizens demanded that the United States open a branch mint in San Francisco. November 28, 1848 – U.S.S. Lexington departed San Francisco with $500,000 in gold destined for the U. S. Mint in the East. December 5, 1848 – In a message to Congress, President Polk confirmed the discovery of gold in California. His message was based on reports from Gen. Mason, the Governor of California. The President wrote, “The accounts of abundance of gold are of such an extraordinary character as would scarcely command belief were they not corroborated by the authentic reports of officers in the public service.” 1998 – Celebration of the 150th observance of the discovery of gold. Bruce Conforti designs colorful poster. 2004 – Special sale of the Gold Rush poster, limited quantities available. A must have for poster collectors and aficionados of San Francisco history and gold rush memorabilia. This 24-1/2 inches by 36 inches poster features San Francisco’s official city seal, gold miners, cityscapes, world-renowned landmarks, eclectic buildings, and beloved sports stars. John White Geary, the city’s last American alcalde, first postmaster, and first mayor, inaugurated May 1, 1850, is the lone figure in the right-hand corner. |
