Coloma, California

Coloma is perhaps the most historically-important of all the Sierra Nevada gold-era towns, since this site was 'ground zero' for mineral discovery.  The first deposits of gold were found in the stream bed of the American River which flows through Coloma.  The site was originally used as a water-propelled sawmill owed by John Sutter.  When word reached San Francisco of gold discovered at Sutters sawmill, this initiated the famous California Gold Rush era.  The sawmill has been beautifully recreated, and several of Coloma's historic buildings have been restored. These include a blacksmith shop, post office, and foundry.  When visiting Coloma, don’t expect to be entertained by shopping or restaurants, as there are none; this small town is best described as a ghost town or outdoors museum and is part of the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. Coloma is 9 miles northwest of Placerville.