Coloma, Box 26, Jan 1948

Although it is quite obvious that James Marshall was not the first one to find gold in California, it was this carpenter from New Jersey, working on John Sutter’s Mill, who made the effective discovery which electrified the world, altered the course of western history, greatly accelerated the development of California, and had national and international ramifications still felt today.

Stockton was put on the 49er Gold Rush map based on location and access to waterways.

The Gold Rush (1948-1955) was arguably one of the most significant events to shape American history during the first half of the 19th century

Following images were photographed by Joel Dardis in Coloma on January 24, 1948 at the 100th anniversary of the Sutter Creek gold discovery.

Next image is an accidental double-exposure but the outfits are noteworthy, so worth sharing.

There were two negatives with images of young adults, presumably SJC/COP crowd at an event.

With a January 1948 date on the box, I was halfway expecting some overflow of the San Francisco shoot Joel did on or around Dec 26, 1947. I was not disappointed.

I was able to trace the above image down with the writing on the windows and the 838 house number.

This building still stands and is now 834 Washington Street, San Francisco.

I suspect the next few images to equally be from “the City” in late 1947.

The box indicated 6 Ektachrome images and I was expecting color images at first as this is what the film is. But Ektachrome color film can also be developed B&W with a very different feel to it than the Kodak and Ansco film Joel has been shooting so far.

Only 6 images, either there are more in another box or there were few duds. Either way, let’s enjoy them for what they are. Pinpricks in time by a photographer who likes to experiment and expand his toolbox.

There is something about the deeper blacks and altered tonality curve in the above images.

Over the next blog posts we’ll be looking at more 1947 images related to SJC/COP and see what else Joel photographs for personal projects.

Cheers !

NOTE: Thanks for Liz Schuler for correcting my mistakes !