James W. Marshall
American cabinetmaker,doctor of the California Gold Rush (1810-1885) · United States · On the map · Historical Figures · Died at 74
James Wilson Marshall was an American carpenter and sawmill operator, who on January 24, 1848, reported the finding of gold at Coloma, California, a small settlement on the American River about 36 miles northeast of Sacramento. His discovery was the impetus for the California gold rush.
James W. Marshall is read about 103 times a day, in 16 languages.
A typical day, 30 days to 20 September 2026
The middle day of the days counted, so one week of news cannot move it. The line under it is the last 60 days, one point a day.
Something wrong?Also in Deutsch
Media & music
Photos 5
The James W. Marshall House, former residence of Marshall family in Lambertville, New Jersey
The caption with this photo at the Library of Congress claims that this was Marshall in front of the mill in 1850. However, it was not. The historians at Marshall Gold State Historic Park have concluded that it is not Marshall and believe it to be the photographer's assistant put in the photo to show scale.
The spot where Marshall first discovered the gold that started the California Gold Rush
Marshall's cabin in Coloma, CaliforniaAbout this person
The mill property was owned by Johann (John) Sutter who employed Marshall to build his mill. The wave of gold seekers turned everyone's attention away from the mill which eventually fell into disrepair and was never used as intended. Neither Marshall nor Sutter ever profited from the gold find.
