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Course Catalog > March Mini Courses

ZOOM: Fortune to the Bold - The French Adventure in Gold Rush San Francisco   

**This class will be taught on Zoom**

In 1851, San Francisco mayor Charles Brenham referred to his numerous French constituents  as "one of the two great elements (with Americans) that compose the population of  California." This strong French presence so early in the history of our State, remains one of  the little-known facets of that world-wide epic. With vivid pictures and original texts, we  will explore with Claudine what triggered the rush of Frenchmen to California starting in  September 1849. How they escaped from endless riots and the collapse of commerce and  social order in their embattled nation, only to land, after a six-month voyage around Cape  Horn, in a city that looked like a huge fairground, with no law, no infrastructure, no  sanitation, no raison d'être except for gold! They survived, and prevailed, and with their  distinct talents and skills, they helped shape the city so often called "Paris of the Pacific."
 
  • ZOOM: Fortune to the Bold - The French Adventure in Gold Rush San Francisco
  • Fee: $29.00
    Dates: 3/17/2025 - 3/17/2025
    Times: 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
    Days: M
    Sessions: 1
    Building: Online
    Room:
    Instructor: Claudine Chalmers
    Seats Available: 61
    **This class will be taught on Zoom**

    In 1851, San Francisco mayor Charles Brenham referred to his numerous French constituents  as "one of the two great elements (with Americans) that compose the population of  California." This strong French presence so early in the history of our State, remains one of  the little-known facets of that world-wide epic. With vivid pictures and original texts, we  will explore with Claudine what triggered the rush of Frenchmen to California starting in  September 1849. How they escaped from endless riots and the collapse of commerce and  social order in their embattled nation, only to land, after a six-month voyage around Cape  Horn, in a city that looked like a huge fairground, with no law, no infrastructure, no  sanitation, no raison d'être except for gold! They survived, and prevailed, and with their  distinct talents and skills, they helped shape the city so often called "Paris of the Pacific."
    Non-members are welcome to register.
 


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