4th Grade Strike Gold with History at Almaden Quicksilver County Park!

Last week, Oakwood 4th grade students participated in an engaging field trip to Almaden Quicksilver County Park, where they explored the rich history beneath the local hills. The visit provided a compelling look at how a nearby natural resource played a key role in one of the most iconic periods in California history—the Gold Rush.

Central to the lesson was cinnabar, a vivid red mineral that was once mined extensively in the Almaden hills. Students learned that cinnabar was refined into mercury, a crucial element in 19th-century gold mining. Through a process known as amalgamation, mercury was combined with crushed rock from gold mines to separate gold from other materials. This method proved essential during the California Gold Rush, with the Almaden Quicksilver Mines serving as one of only two major sources of cinnabar in the world—the other located in Almaden, Spain.

The field trip also included a visit to the park’s museum, where students explored exhibits highlighting the many occupations and tools associated with a thriving mining town. They discovered how entire communities, including miners, blacksmiths, carpenters, and cooks, were built around the mines and the valuable resources they produced.

The experience brought the California Gold Rush to life through discovery, history, and hands-on learning. Oakwood 4th-grade students returned with a deeper appreciation for the land and the stories it holds beneath the surface.

Almaden Quicksilver County Park Field Trip photo album