There is no doubt that the discovery of gold in California in 1848 profoundly shaped the history of nineteenth century America. The astonishing discovery made San Francisco the destination of travelers around the world. Men and women planned to emigrate to California to seek their fortunes. They came by ship around the Cape Horn of South America and across the Isthmus of Panama, through Mexico to reach the Pacific Coast. From there, they boarded a ship to reach San Francisco Bay. They also came by foot and by wagon from the Midwest, across the plains, over the Rocky Mountains and through New Mexico and Sonora to find gold in California. California was declared a state in 1850 and San Luis Obispo was one of 27 counties formed in the same year.