News of the discovery swept through the streets of San Francisco. Soon, miners from all over the world made their way to the Foothills to seek their fortunes. Back at Sutter's Mill, Marshall and his crew produced lumber to build the Gold Rush's first boomtown, Coloma. Today the legacy of James Marshall and John Sutter lives on at Coloma's Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. On Main Street, Coloma's boomtown past comes alive at the Gun Shop, Tinsmith Shop, and the restored one room schoolhouse.
Shops offer local crafts and souvenirs.
You can visit the ruins of the original Fl Dorado County Jail and the historic Thomas and Papini houses, complete with period furnishings. There are two cemeteries, a miner's cabin with tools and clothing reminiscent of the Gold Rush-era. The cabin where Marshall lived after discovering gold is open to view. Nearby, the Gold Rush-era St. John's Catholic Church and Emmanuel Episcopal Church display religious artifacts. The Marshall Monument, a towering bronze statue of James Marshall pointing to the spot where he discovered gold, sits high atop a hill overlooking the park.