Gold Pan

The Colorado Gold Rush followed the discovery of small deposits of gold at various locations in the Rocky Mountains in 1858. These discoveries confirmed longstanding rumors of gold in the area. Experienced prospectors were the first to enter what became known as the Pike’s Peak Gold Region, and thousands of people soon followed them. Many of them were in search of adventure and fortune, but some had also lost everything in the economic depression that followed the Panic of 1857. Soon after the Gold Rush started, settlements were built that became the city of Denver. The settlers organized the region into the Territory of Jefferson in 1859, but it never received official recognition from the Federal Government. The debate over the extension of slavery into U.S. territories delayed Congressional action, but the Colorado Territory was finally organized on February 21, 1861. Colorado remained a territory until August 1, 1876, when it joined the Union as the 38th State.

Thousands of prospectors came with the gold rush in the hopes to become rich, many didn’t, one of the simplest methods to find gold was to pan the streams and rivers for small or near-microscopic flanks or nuggets of gold. They used pans like this one on display to swirl and wash gravel and sediment in a pan to separate heavier gold particles from lighter materials. While some individuals have found significant nuggets or flakes, the average panner is likely to find only small amounts of gold. Make in process not an effective way to get a large amount of gold nor make a living off of this.