The Carolina Gold Rush, which began in 1799, actually predates the California Gold Rush, which began in 1849.

FORBES: Romarco's Historic Haile Mine Reviving Community, Mining In South Carolina

W. Brands, a wonderful storyteller who has written eloquently on many topics including Benjamin Franklin, Texas's revolution and the California gold rush.

ECONOMIST: American democracy

The California Gold Rush was the largest gold rush in U.S. history, seeing hundreds of thousands of people of different cultures and backgrounds swarm the Golden State.

FORBES: By Alex L��tourneau

While Allen estimates that only 5% of miners who took part in the California Gold Rush felt they struck it rich, he sees the merchants as the real bread winners.

FORBES: Just Like The Original: San Francisco 49ers Looking For Gold

Starting with the Gold Rush of 1849, California has been the destination of choice for Americans, with migrants coming originally in wagon trains over thousands of miles, then by railroad, by plane, and finally by car over interstate highways.

FORBES: The Anachronism Of State Income Taxes

Allen points to the Dahlonega, GA gold rush of 1828 as a comparison in terms of the volume of gold discovered in California.

FORBES: By Alex L��tourneau