An Early Map Showing The Gold Regions in California
Unusual map of the California Gold Regions, lithographed by Thiery Freres.
This 1849 map provides an early depiction of the gold-rich regions in Alta California following the gold discovery in 1848. The yellow-highlighted section of the map marks the primary gold discovery zones, particularly around Nueva Helvetia (Sutter's Fort), the American River, and Bear River, regions that became the focal points of the California Gold Rush.
The map reflects the territorial designation "Alta California," which was still used following the Mexican-American War and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848, before California's statehood in 1850. Significant geographic features such as the Sierra Nevada mountains, the Great Interior Basin, and Tule Lakes are prominently depicted, showcasing the landscape that shaped the journey of prospectors during this period. The presence of indigenous groups, such as the "Pah Utah Indians," is also noted on the map, acknowledging the native peoples inhabiting the region prior to the massive influx of settlers.
Interestingly, the gold regions shown are quite limited, focused on the rivers north of the Cosumnes River, omitting a significant area of activity to the south.
The map is very similar to the map which appeared in Henry Vizetelly's Four Months among the Gold-Finders in Alta California, Being the Diary of an Expedition from San Francisco to the Gold Districts, but there are obvious differences, including the arching title, whereas the title in the the Vizetelly book is in a straight line, as well as subtle but significant differences throughout.