Gold Rush scrapbook, 1849–1850. Daniel Gano (1794–1873),

Gano C1398_Bx1_F9_scpbk_opeining_spreadDaniel Gano was a county court clerk in Cincinnati. In 1849, his son Stephen joined the Gold Rush to California. Stephen’s letters to his father describe the perils of the overland crossing and the difficulties and excitement of mining for gold. Daniel saved his son’s letters in this scrapbook, along with newspaper clippings about the Gold Rush and this hand-colored lithograph published by Kellogg & Comstock depicting “California Gold Diggers” at work. Daniel Gano Gold Rush Scrapbook, Manuscripts Division.

FOR FURTHER EXPLORATION: See the finding aid  for this item, or see the whole scrapbook.

Post Office, San Francisco, California (ca. 1850). William Endicott (1816–1851) & Co., after H. F. Cox,

Endicott Post OfficeThe U.S. Post Office opened its first San Francisco branch in 1848. No mail was delivered to the gold fields, so miners waited each morning for the post office to open. This lithograph, made after a drawing by H. F. Cox, depicts four lines at the post office, for Spanish-language service, general delivery, parcel delivery, and newspaper pickup. American Prints Collection, Graphic Arts Collection.

FOR FURTHER EXPLORATION: Read more on the Graphic Arts blog.

View of Ithaca, Tompkins County N.Y. Taken from West Hill, (1839). Henry Walton,

GC023_Walton_View_of_IthacaIn 1839, Henry Walton set up his studio in Ithaca, New York, where he made several lithographs depicting the charms of the rural community.  He continued to produce views of upstate New York until he joined the gold rush to California in 1851. Gift of Leonard L. Milberg, Class of 1953. Leonard L. Milberg ’53 Collection, Graphic Arts Collection.