What makes California so golden? Let’s take a look.

 

The West Coast’s Treasure

 

Breaking Down Everything Golden About California

 

The California Gold Rush struck in 1848 when gold nuggets were discovered in the Sacramento Valley. In a flurry of news and excitement, California’s population soared with eager miners—many of whom came from outside the United States. Dreams of comfort and luxury kept people coming to California for another seven years until the rush died out around 1855.

 

But even after 1855, people kept coming. The settlement of California continued at a steady pace. Why did these people stay in the Golden State if there wasn’t any gold left? We’re looking at some of the reasons that might explain why.

 

Does your family history include stories of migration, starting at a new place? Did one of you ancestors move from a far away place and established roots in a totally different country or culture? At RootsView, we want you to discover and navigate your family tree in improved ways. We would be happy to help you get started on our platform — whether you would like to connect your GED file or talk to us about how to use it, we would be happy to personally assist you — just schedule a meeting here

 

Rich Beauties

 

The gold found in the valleys of California was only a part of the state’s beauty—and certainly not the only part to have that color.

 

The California poppy, also known as the golden poppy, California sunlight, or cup of gold, became the state’s official flower in 1903 and blooms in fields among the state each spring.

 

 

The golden trout, a fish native only to California and known for its bright underbelly, became the official state fish in 1947.

 

 

The gold theme even extends to the denim made from coarse California cotton that gained immense popularity in 1873, when Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis patented waist overalls with gold stitching and copper rivets.

 

 

Add in California’s golden sunsets on the ocean’s horizon and you can start to see just how true to life the state’s title really is.

 

The Glamor Age

 

While the natural beauty of California remained constant, the fever the state saw during the gold rush came back with the bright lights of Hollywood when 1908’s The Count of Monte Cristo was completed and hit the screen. The neighborhood with humble beginnings merged with the city of Los Angeles in 1910 and quickly grew into a film industry icon. Prospective actors, singers, dancers, and more—just like the gold miners in the mid-1880s—traveled and worked for their dreams to be realized.

 

And just like Hollywood, business in California also grew. The state’s Mediterranean-like climate was perfect for agriculture. Even today over one-third of the vegetables in the United States is grown in California as well as two-thirds of the country’s fruits and nuts.

 

And in an increasingly modern age, the state has also become a hub for technological innovation. Many of the United States’ most famous companies have their roots in California.

 

Now the gold found in California is fame, business, and the tan—natural or otherwise—found on many Californians’ skin.

 

A Golden Heritage

 

But these things might not apply to all thirty-nine million people who live in California. Not every person works for a major company or owns an orchard. Why remain if none of these things are the reason?

 

It’s because the people who came to California and stayed there started new lives. They made new families. And both of these are just as golden as anything that’s found or built in the state. All of what we listed above can make the state gold, but the memories and people you meet can make the state home.

 

And if that’s the standard for someplace to be golden, then every state can be. Whether you live in California or not, one of your ancestors established a family in the city you live. What makes your town special? Did any of your ancestors move from a far away place and established roots in a totally different country, city, or culture? At RootsView, we want you to discover and navigate your family tree in improved ways. We would be happy to help you get started on our platform — whether you would like to upload your GED file or talk to us about how to use it, we would be happy to personally assist you — just schedule a meeting here. You can also email us with any question at info@rootsview.com - we'd love to hear from you!