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Gold Nuggets Found
Gold nuggets were discovered in Sacramento Valley. -
Inaugural Address Reports Gold
President James K. Polk's inaugural address reported an "abundance of gold" in California. -
Peak of Gold Rush
The Gold Rush peaked, with $81 million in gold extracted. -
Hydraulic Mining Developed
The developement of hydraulic mining increased success for a time, but destroyed the landscape in the process. -
Gold Rush Decline
The gold rush eventually declined, with apporximately $45 million in gold removed per year. -
California's Population Increased
By the end of the decade, California's population had grown to about 380,000.