Marshall Gold Discovery SHP

Recently, and for the third year in a row, we took a group of 188 eighth-​graders from Southern California to Marshall Gold SHP for the Eureka Experience. The entire program was A+!
Holly Thane and her team arranged a wonderful collection of activities that delighted the students as they learned about this incredible event in California’s history. The Gold Discovery Museum and Visitors Center was filled with excellent displays and also afforded the students a souvenir opportunity.
The Gold Discovery Tour, a walking tour, took the students back in time to the days just prior and during the gold rush era. They saw the gold discovery site along the South Fork American River (seeing a river was a real treat, especially for the Southern Californians!) as well as the Mill Site and a new Sawmill replica.
Adding to the gold rush experience was an opportunity to pan for gold. The students loved that! In addition, they had time to explore many buildings from the 1800s including the Blacksmith Shop, Jail Ruins, School House and more.
The Eureka Experience was an outstanding highlight of the students’ visit to the Sacramento area. The students and chaperones thoroughly enjoyed it.
We look forward to next year’s trip.

This is a great place. I am fascinated by the history of the gold rush, and this is ground zero for it all.

Gold digger’s unite! This is where it all started in the 1800’s.
It is always rewarding to revisit history and to see what you can learn from it. If only my Grandpa’s had invested in gold versus the stock market, sigh.
On a serious note, great family spot in a very small family town.

I love Marshall Gold! There are flat areas for lazy strolls, hills if I want to get my blood pressure up, and river access points for my dog.

This is a good place to get orientated to the State park and to the history of the area. This museum, tho small, is a great tribute to the gold discovery era. Gold Rush exhibits include; mining equipment, horse drawn vehicles, a Concord stagecoach, & household implements. A number of short films are available about the gold discovery and early mining techniques. Films are available by request at the front desk. (a nice break from the heat of the day).
There is a small mercantile on site which has a good variety of books, souvenirs, period toys, crafts, etc for sale. They also have little vials of gold flakes that you can purchase, which our kids were thrilled with.
Clean bathrooms and water fountain outside. Parking is available, for a small fee. Also on site is one of the ever popular pressed penny machines.