Here in the valley of the Cul-Luh-Mah Indians, James W. Marshall discovered gold on January 24, 1848, in the tailrace of Sutters sawmill. The old Coloma Road, opened in 1847 from Sutters Fort to Coloma, was used by Marshall to carry the news of the discovery to Captain John A. Sutter. During the gold rush, it was used by thousands of miners going to and from the diggings. In 1849 it became the route of Californias first stage line, established by James E. Birch.