California Gold Rush

"Gold! Gold! Gold from the American River!" - Sam Brannan, 1848

"I wish this was real gold." - Cedar Hall Classical Academy students, 2023

CHCA students learned about the California Gold Rush and had an opportunity to try their hands at being '49ers. They chose a route:

1. Across the United States on the California Trail in a covered wagon for a four to six month journey, risking life and limb in the Mojave Desert.

2. South to the isthmus of Panama, across the narrow band of land, then north to California (provided they weren't stranded in Panama without a ship or a crew), about six to eight weeks, facing malaria, yellow-fever and robbers.

3. South, south, south around the South American continent, then north again to California, a journey of four to five months.