Edwin G. Waite

After a voyage of over five months—sailing from New York to Central America, crossing the Isthmus of Panama, and steaming north along the western coasts of Mexico and California— young gold seeker Edwin G. Waite finally arrived in San Francisco on August 4, 1849. Suddenly surrounded by peoples of all races and nationalities, Waite found himself somewhat overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of the booming city, which at that time consisted largely of tents to accommodate the hoards of immigrants.

In the following selection, first published in TheCentury Magazine in 1891, Waite recounts his arrival in San Francisco, his brief two-day sojourn there, and his excursion to the gold diggings. Waite remained in California after the gold rush had faded, serving as both editor and reporter for several major newspapers. He went on to become a...