A pathfinder is a guide to research resources about a topic. This pathfinder includes links to books, databases, and websites with information about the Gold Rush that took place in California between 1848 and 1865.
On the shelves at the Crocker Highlands Library
NonfictionYou can find books with facts about the Gold Rush on the shelves in the Dewey Decimal number range 979.4, including:
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FictionYou can also learn about what life was like during the Gold Rush by reading historical fiction books, including:
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Other BooksWant to eat like a 49er? Check out California Gold Rush Cooking, by Lisa Golden Schroeder (641.59 SCH)
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Online Resources
Britannica School
Britannica School is the online version of Encyclopedia Britannica. It contains articles, images, videos, and links to additional resources on a wide range of topics, including the Gold Rush. Crocker Highlands students have free access to Britannica School through the library website. Can’t remember the user name and password? Check your bookmark or ask the librarian. |
Calisphere
Provided by the University of California, Calisphere is a free public gateway to more than a million artifacts—including photographs, newspaper pages, political cartoons, works of art, diaries, and more—from California libraries, museums, and archives. A special exhibition, The Gold Rush Era, 1848-1869, has resources organized into collections including Murder and Mayhem, Everyday Life and People, and Diversity in the Changing State. |
Oakland Museum of California
The Oakland Museum is home to has nearly 2 million objects from California's history. The museum's online exhibition, Gold Rush! California's Untold Stories, shows original photographs, art, and objects from the museum's collection. You can follow different pathways through the exhibit to see how the Gold Rush affected California's native and immigrant populations. |
The Sacramento Bee
Founded in 1857, the Sacramento Bee is the largest daily newspaper of the state capital of California. The newspaper produced a special Gold Rush Series commemorating the 150th anniversary of the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill. The collection includes articles, timelines, maps, diagrams, and more. |
Resources at Oakland Public Library
In addition to many books about the California Gold Rush, Oakland Public Library offers access to databases such as Gale Kids Infobits, World Book Online, and Gale Biography in Context. Look for these databases on the Oakland Public Library Kids website.
(You need an Oakland Public Library card and 4-digit PIN number to access the databases.)
(You need an Oakland Public Library card and 4-digit PIN number to access the databases.)
Multimedia Resources
American Experience: The Gold Rush
This film, from the American Experience series on PBS, shows how the Gold Rush changed not only California as a state, but also America as a nation. You can watch the trailer and read related articles on the PBS website. The film is available on DVD from Oakland Public Library. Music Recording (preview on smithsonian, available at BPL, stream on Amazon)
This film, from the American Experience series on PBS, shows how the Gold Rush changed not only California as a state, but also America as a nation. You can watch the trailer and read related articles on the PBS website. The film is available on DVD from Oakland Public Library. Music Recording (preview on smithsonian, available at BPL, stream on Amazon)
The Days of '49: Songs of the Gold Rush
This music recording from Smithsonian Folkways features folk songs that were popular among miners seeking their wealth during the Gold Rush. You can listen to a sample of each song on the Smithsonian Folkways Recordings website. The recording is available to stream from Berkeley Public Library (you need a BPL library card). |
Information About the Field Trip to Coloma
In April, all fourth grade classes will embark on a three-day, two-night field trip to Coloma Outdoor Discovery School. Here you can find information about the field trip agenda, what to pack, and lists of additional Gold Rush resources.
Do you have suggestions for additions or improvements to this pathfinder? Let the librarian know!