Blacks In The Gold Rush

The Gold Rush is commonly presented as an era of high excitement and grand adventure, populated with colorful characters--but precious few people of color. 

In truth, in a single decade, the California Gold Rush affected the lives of thousands of blacks
from extremely diverse backgrounds.  They met the challenge of slavery and discrimination in the new, "free" state of California with dignity and determination and in turn, their stories impacted Gold Rush history, California state history, American history and the history of women.

These unsung pioneers left behind a proud legacy that has languished, for a century and a half, behind the shadowy curtains of time.