FAN FAVORITE: California Gold Rush | The Forty Niners | 2

American History Tellers

Wondery

Society & Culture, Kids & Family, History, Education For Kids

4.7 • 18.3K Ratings

🗓️ 22 August 2025

⏱️ 42 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In early 1849, thousands of gold-hungry Americans began pouring into California from the eastern United States. But most of the so-called 49ers were wildly unprepared for the perilous journey west. Once they reached California, they found unexpected obstacles and fierce competition in the gold mines. For many, their dreamed-of riches rarely materialized. And even for those who did hit paydirt, their newfound wealth came with unforeseen challenges.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Hey, history buffs, if you can't get enough of the captivating stories we uncover on American
0:04.7	history tellers, you'll love the exclusive experience of Wondry Plus.
0:08.4	Dive even deeper into the past with ad-free episodes, early access to new seasons, and
0:13.0	bonus content that brings history to life like never before.
0:16.2	Join Wondery Plus in the Wondry app or on Apple podcast and embark on an unparalleled journey through
0:21.4	America's most pivotal moments.
0:33.5	Imagine it's April 1849.
0:36.4	You're a tailor from upstate New York.
0:38.3	But after a five-week journey, you and your cousin arrived in St. Louis just yesterday.
0:43.3	It's a stop on your way to the gold fields of California, and hopefully, to riches.
0:48.3	While your cousin is buying some supplies you'll need at a nearby store, you watch the crowds bustling around you.
0:55.2	There are more people here than you've seen in your life. All of them would be miners like you.
1:00.5	They're buying shovels, lanterns, food, everything they'll need when they stake their claims in California.
1:06.5	There's more competition for gold than you realized. Soon your cousin emerges from the store, but he's empty-handed.
1:13.9	Where are the supplies?
1:15.5	Well, bad news, he's asking $40.
1:17.9	$40? For three barrels of pork?
1:21.0	That wouldn't be more than $20 back home.
1:23.6	I know.
1:24.4	That's what I told him.
1:25.7	I refuse to pay such a ridiculous price. But other people are
1:29.2	forking over for it. The store's shelves are nearly bare. What do we do now? Between you and your
	...

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