January 1848 – August 1849: Gold is discovered in California and the new American dream is born. As the news spreads across the country, over 300,000 people—one out of every 90 Americans—drop everything and head west with hopes of striking it rich. Among the prospectors making the journey is an outfit of 40 men known as Boston Company. August 1849 – December 1849: In less than a year, the Gold Rush has already started to transform America. But in the gold fields, Boston Company learns that finding gold isn’t going to be easy. The mining camps are only growing more crowded with every passing day. As desperation sets in, the 49ers turn violent and the Gold Rush slides into chaos.