The discovery of gold nuggets in the Sacramento Valley in early 1848
sparked the Gold Rush, arguably one of the most significant events to
shape American history during the first half of the 19th century. As
news spread of the discovery, thousands of prospective gold miners
traveled by sea or over land to San Francisco and the surrounding
area; by the end of 1849, the non-native population of the California
territory was some 100,000 (compared with the pre-1848 figure of less
than 1,000). A total of $2 billion worth of precious metal was
extracted from the area during the Gold Rush, which peaked in 1852.
http://www.history.com/topics/
In 1849 the California coast was the center of attention because of
the ‘gold rush’
Will 2049 bring a new ‘gold’ ‘silver’ ‘platinum’ etc. rush? The
asteroids are a rich minefield of unexplored wealth.