The California Gold Rush Collection spans the years 1849 to 1900, with the bulk of the material dating from 1849 to 1854. It consists of correspondence, a travel journal, and typescripts of notes. The majority of the correspondence is from miners and individuals working in mining camps to family members and friends documenting their experiences during the California Gold Rush. The authors describe the hardships of mining, discuss methods of mining, convey feelings of homesickness at being separated from their families, and relate impressions of mining camps and cities. Towns and camps represented are Downieville, Foster’s Bar, Georgetown, Log City, Mariposa, Nevada City, Placerville, Rose’s Bar, Rough and Ready, and Sacramento. Also featured is Saint Joseph, Missouri, the starting point for many miners. A letter dated 5 February 1852 by Ogden Ellery Edwards includes an accompanying lithograph illustrating mining techniques and life in mining camps. Also filed with the Edwards correspondence are typescripts of anecdotes by Edwards, circa 1900, about his experiences in California. Other topics referenced in the collection's correspondence are women's rights, California politics, and the Mariposa War between Native Americans and miners. The collection also features a journal of Lyman P. Wason, kept while sailing around Cape Horn to San Francisco, 1849-1852, and while mining for gold at the Georgetown mining camp in El Dorado County, 1850-1852.