John Hinkel Park

Historical marker location:

1 Somerset Place, Berkeley, California

( Marker can be reached from Somerset Place.)

Marker installed: 2003

Clubhouse: John Gregg, Designer, 1918. Amphitheater: Vernon Dean, Designer, 1934.

The California Gold Rush of 1849 brought a huge influx of people to the state. In just two years, the population of San Francisco grew from 1,000 to 25,000. However, only a small percentage of gold-seekers actually struck it rich, and many ended up in debt or poverty.