The beauty that surrounds those of us fortunate enough to be in the El Dorado Hills community is nothing short of astounding. El Dorado Hills is an excellent example of how a planned community nestles into the vast history that surrounds it. History that comes alive in all directions.
History is a great teacher, as we all know. But there's nothing like letting teaching be a great teacher when you're seeing it through the eyes of a ten-year-old. I recently had the honor of touring one of the hidden gems (and there goes the first pun) when visiting Marshall Gold Discovery Park with my ten-year-old grandson. This beautiful park is located just minutes from El Dorado Hills. If you've never visited this lovely park, you're in for a true treat!
Impacting the Nation
It is remarkable that Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park offers stunning views, peaceful hikes, and picnic areas along the American River. Oh, did I mention that the gorgeous American River is just feet away from this beautiful park? In fact, it’s front and center to the historical events that affected not just this area, but were some of the biggest in the nation. How was that possible? This question is answered thoroughly at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. And it is answered in several settings.
This park isn’t just a beautiful place to explore; it is best known as the site where gold was first discovered in California, sparking the Gold Rush and forever altering the course of the nation's history. As I said earlier, it is amazing what happens when you revisit a history you thought you knew by seeing it through the eyes of a 10-year-old. My grandson and I decided to start our exploration with a tour of the Gold Discovery Museum. Please don’t be fooled by the size of the museum building. The amount of valuable information contained within it is astounding. The museum’s tour is self-guided and absolutely worth taking your time to visit each exhibit. As we passed from replications of what life looked like for the original inhabitants of this area, the Nisenan Maidu and Miwok people, to the eventual decline of a gold-based economy, history came alive. A special recognition is due for the hard work that has gone into presenting a more inclusive representation of the history of this area.
A Walk Through Time
Along with touring the Gold Discovery Museum, we visited an impressive number of outdoor exhibits. The first thing we did was participate in the gold panning lessons offered right outside the Gold Discovery Museum building. It was so much fun, and we learned a lot in the fifteen-minute lesson that led to a 30-minute panning session on our own. Please check for lesson times and days by calling first, and note that this activity is weather-permitted.
The next thing we did was take the short walk to see the very spot that marked the beginning of the gold rush era. You see, the gold rush wasn’t a result of a calculated effort designed from the start to capture gold. It actually started as a plan designed to make a fortune in milling valuable wood!
In 1845, a man named John Sutter hired a man named James Marshall to work in Sutter’s Fort in Sacramento. Once Sutter realized Marshall’s talent as a carpenter and millwright, the two entered into an agreement for a sawmill in what was the site of the Nisenan people, Coloma. In 1848, while inspecting the new mill’s tailrace, Marshall discovered gold flakes. While the area did create wealth for some, ironically, the spread of the word about gold caused the partnership between Sutter and Marshall to end unsuccessfully.
Today, you can explore a reconstructed replica of the mill, see interpretive displays, and enjoy a picnic on the edge of the beautiful American River.
But Wait, There’s More!
The fascinating immersion into the gold rush era is made possible by the historic sites preserved along Coloma Road. The main park entrance is where you’ll find Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park and the panning lessons; however, other buildings are on that same side of the road and across the road. You can look inside James Marshall's cabin, see the “town’s” general store, Man Lee Store, containing an exhibit of several methods of gold mining, and Wah Hop Store, which is an exhibit of a typical Chinese store during the gold rush era.
After taking our time looking in the exhibit buildings, my grandson and I took advantage of a moderate 1.5-mile hike called the Monument Loop Hike. The trail is easy with a half-mile climb through chaparral and forest, which ends at the James Marshall monument. The hike brought us back past Marshall's cabin, St. John's church, and Emmanuel church. Please don’t miss looking at the stone ruins of the old El Dorado County Jail, all in the same area.
There is also the Monroe Ridge Trail hike, which connects the Marshall Monument with the North Beach picnic area of the park. Both hikes are known for their beautiful views, so please plan on taking your time so you see all they have to offer. In fact, please plan on spending the majority of a day in this beautiful park; it’s well worth your time.
Green Valley Road Self Storage
There’s so much to do in El Dorado Hills and the surrounding nooks and crannies. As your local self-storage facility proudly serving this area since 2008, Green Valley Road Self Storage is invested in working with others to promote this wonderful community. We often hear about the hidden treasures from our valued customers. Whether you’re interested in renting self-storage or just want to help us share your favorite great places to recreate, dine, and shop, please visit us really soon. We look forward to seeing you.
Gold Discovery Museum and Visitor Center
310 Back Street
Coloma, CA 95613
530-622-3470
Please call for the current park schedule.
www.marshallgold.com
