Auburn Tutors

About Auburn

Nestled in the hills outside of Sacramento, at the base of the Sierra Mountains just on the other side of the Nevada border is Auburn, California. Auburn boasts many claims to fame in California history, but its most notable is its place in the Gold Rush of 1849.

The Auburn Ravine was explored by French migrants who had come west with the lure of gold bringing them to the California territory. Among them was Claude Chana, leaving from St. Louis, who first discovered gold in the ravine May 1849, shortly after Sutter and Marshall discovered gold in the famed mill in Sacramento, just a day’s drive away. Chana was a friend of Sutter’s, and indeed had worked a time as his cooper. While at the mill, he honed his skills in panning, mining, and spotting gold. Thus prepared, Chana made his way east from Sacramento with three other men-- Francois Gendron, Philibert Courteau, and another Frenchman known as Eugene. Rumor had it that gold was actually to be found in Coloma, further south than Auburn, but on their way to their destination, gold was accidentally found in a stream at the bottom of the ravine where the men were camped for the evening. Chana went to rinse his mining pan, and according to his own account, found large gold nuggets at the bottom after washing away the dirt. It appears the men would not have to go into Coloma—Auburn would be a fine place to seek their fortunes.

The new discovery of gold in Auburn attracted many miners to this small settlement outside of Sacramento, and by August of that same year, Auburn was established as a city. In a matter of five short months, cabins were constructed, tents were dropped, and newcomers settled in to their new routine: prospect for gold and chase the American dream. Auburn turned out to be a difficult dig for many who answered the call for gold, but it remained as an important outpost during the Gold Rush, so much so that Auburn was placed on the route for the Transcontinental Railroad after California joined the union in 1851.

Auburn still offers tourists the unique opportunity to pan for gold in its ravine and streams—though the Gold Rush is long over, people can still find gold in the hills if they are patient, persistent, and know where to look.

In many ways, students are like the miners of 1849 on the verge of endless possibilities. Learning and broadening horizons is as valuable as finding gold, and the gold of the mind can be drawn out by the right tutor who is there to help look for the good ideas, the abilities, and build the confidence in their clients. Chana was not alone when he made his discoveries in Auburn. He had friends who helped him, problem-solved with him, and encouraged his efforts. What makes learning different from finding gold, though, is the fact that learning is invaluable, incalculably so. Gold has a price, a dollar attached to it, and once all of it is discovered, a mine closes and prospectors move on. The human mind is full of infinite possibilities and potential and with enough digging and effort, can grow with one discovery after another.