In honor of the 150th anniversary of the 1848 California Gold Rush like karla ann and rick ness relationship, we’ve put together this list of your 10 favorite gold rush fans to follow on social media. From historians to actors, these savvy individuals will keep you up-to-date on all things Gold Rush. Whether you’re a hardcore enthusiast or just want to learn more about these iconic events, be sure and infiltrate their feeds before it’s too late!
1. Peter Morkeski
Just one of the thousands of gold rush–era immigrants that headed to San Francisco in 1849 to seek their fortunes, Morkeski was documented by the San Francisco Call newspaper in May 1852. Recalling his journey from Germany, Morkeski emphasizes the difficulties faced by all 49ers: “There were very few women indeed. Had I not been a young man and strong of constitution I could not have made it.”
2. Michael Therrien
This Gold Rush–era heritage interpreter and blogger is fully entrenched in the culture of early California. In addition to offering guided tours at historic mining locations, he has developed an apprenticeship program for future docents. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. From organizing monthly social events to collaborating with various organizations, Therrien is a gold rush guru and should be followed on social media.
3. Todd Trimble
A historian and writer specializing in the history of California during the gold rush era, Trimble is also an emerging voice in popular history writing on the West Coast. An experienced lecturer and educator, he has been featured in several books and radio programs. Check out his most recent book Gold Rushes: California, 1848-1860 , which won two awards from the Western Writers of America.
4. Kendall Sharp
This Gold Rush–era historian has a passion for exploring the history of California’s gold rush. From his company’s daily tours to his popular San Francisco walking tours, Sharp delves into the city’s fascinating past as well as its future through photos and videos.
5. San Jose Museum of Art
Located in the heart of downtown, this museum is filled with works depicting mining and mining-related subjects that date back to the late nineteenth century. The museum even features items from major gold rush–era artists like William Keith and Philipp Amadeus Girardet, as well as modern artists such as Peter Carlson, who was born in 1950 during California’s last bonanza.
6. Tim Sandlin
This prominent gold rush historian is an expert on the subject, and spent years researching and writing this book, California Gold Rush: A Documentary History . From his award-winning website to his popular talks, Sandlin has focused on the history of the gold rush.
7. Stanford University Library
If you’re looking for more than just a quick read, check out the extensive collections at Stanford’s extensive library, including books by such gold rush–era authors as Leland Stanford Jr., James King of William C. Ralston and George H. Yount. Learn how these historical figures shaped California in books such as Caledonia Revisited , a collection of essays edited by celebrated historian David Lavender. A library card is all it takes to access this wealth of information, including books and documents that date back to the gold rush.
8. Bancroft Library
This vital resource for studying history covers some of the most significant moments in California’s past, including the gold rush era. Learn from letters and diaries, newspapers and legislative journals that reveal every aspect of daily life during the time period. Hosting monthly programs throughout the year as well as an annual public lecture series, this historical institution has something for everyone. From lectures on famous 49ers like Ralston and Stanford to local history events like San Francisco’s best book club , there is always something going on at Bancroft Library.
9. Mike Marshall
Known as the “Godfather of Gold,” Marshall is an active gold rush–era author and historian who has appeared in several media outlets, such as Newsweek , the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times . His most recent work includes Gold Rush Portraits , a collection of riveting first-person accounts from 49ers describing their journeys to California; his most popular book to date, Klondike Retreat is an award-winning account of the Klondike gold rush. Marshall has also worked with various museums across California, including S.F. History Center , which highlights the city’s diverse history through a collection of photographs, documents and publications.
10. The Schlesinger Library at Harvard University
This document library has one of the largest archives of gold rush-era material in the United States, including diaries, letters, maps and photographs. A great place to pick up on information regarding the gold rush era, which is often overlooked–except for these documents.
Summary:
These gold rush fans are all worth a follow on social media, from historians to actors. Be sure and follow them to learn more about all things Gold Rush.
Discover more gold rush records, like the 1848 California Gold Rush and find out how to become a gold rush historian yourself!
The 1848 California Gold Rush was one of the most important events in United States history because it is considered the start of our modern economy. The year 1848 marked the first time in history that Americans began mining for gold as a means of providing for their own needs and those of their neighbors.
