August Meeting: All That Glitters Is Not Fool’s Gold! by Anne Amerson; Thursday, August 11, 2011 , 7 PM at the Community House

Post date: Aug 02, 2011 5:5:28 PM

Jennie Wimmer was the first person to identify the gold nugget that was found in the mill race at Sutter’s Mill in 1848. Those who found it thought it was “Fool’s Gold” (pyrite), but Jennie knew the shining nugget was the real thing because she had learned how to identify gold while living in Dahlonega in 1838 during the Georgia gold rush.

Jennie not only identified the first gold discovered in California, she also contributed to the onset of the California gold rush by writing to friends back in Lumpkin County to tell them of the discovery. Thanks to her advance notice, a large party of Lumpkin County miners led by Green Russell were able to reach the western gold fields well in advance of most other “Forty-Niners.” The gold they brought back was coined at the Dahlonega Branch Mint.

Come and bring a friend!

The Community House is at the corner of N. Park St. and Hawkins St. - map