The California Gold Rush

The discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill leads to the California Gold Rush. Immigration to the state increases dramatically. In 1849 brothers John D. and George D. Stephens cross the plains from Cooper County, Missouri, and arrive in Sacramento in search of gold. By July 1850 the Stephens brothers give up this quest and focus on raising livestock, purchasing part of the Rancho Canada de Capay along Cache Creek adjacent to the Gordon Grant. In 1852 the Stephens brothers establish Oakdale Ranch south of Cache Creek, where they raise cattle and dry farm. They build an adobe granary, which they convert later into a home still used by their descendants. Later, they purchase part of the Gordon Grant that will be the future site of the Cache Creek Nature Preserve.