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San Francisco Growth — Reading Comprehension

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D2.HIS.2.3-5
D2.HIS.3.3-5
RI.4.3
RI.4.4
W.4.2

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This engaging U.S. History reading passage guides students through the dramatic transformation of San Francisco during the Gold Rush era (1848-1850s). Aligned with C3 Framework and Common Core standards, the passage uses clear narrative and chronological structure to explain how the discovery of gold sparked rapid growth, innovation, and diversity in California. Students will learn about key events, figures, and the cause-and-effect chain that turned a sleepy village into a booming city. Activities include a multiple-choice quiz, writing prompts, a timeline, and a graphic organizer for deeper understanding. Glossary support helps build vocabulary. The resource also features a Spanish translation and read aloud audio, making it accessible for diverse learners. Ideal for teaching the significance of Westward Expansion, economic opportunity, and community change in U.S. history classrooms.

CONTENT PREVIEW

"George Henry Burgess - San Francisco in July, 1849" by George Henry Burgess / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain).

The city of San Francisco changed quickly because of the Gold Rush. In 1848, San Francisco was a small village on the Pacific coast with only about 200 people. There were a few wooden houses and dirt roads. But everything changed when gold was discovered at Sutter’s Mill, over one hundred miles away.

News of gold spread fast. People from all over the United States, Europe, Asia, and South America rushed to California. They wanted to find gold and build a better life. Most travelers arrived by ship. The harbor of San Francisco filled with hundreds of boats. Some ships were left abandoned because their crews went to search for gold. These empty ships were used as homes, hotels, or shops.

San Francisco became a boomtown. This means the town grew very fast. By 1850, the population had grown from just 200 to over 36,000 people. The city was crowded. New buildings, shops, and streets appeared almost overnight. People from many different backgrounds lived together. San Francisco became California’s largest and most diverse city.

Life in the boomtown was exciting but also hard. There were not enough homes or supplies for everyone. Prices for food and goods were very high. Streets were often muddy and crowded. Fires sometimes destroyed buildings because many were made of wood. Still, people worked hard to solve these problems. They built new homes, formed fire brigades, and created better roads.

The Gold Rush helped San Francisco grow into an important urban center. The city became a place where people could find work, start businesses, and share new ideas. By the early 1850s, San Francisco had banks, schools, and newspapers. The city’s development showed how quickly a place could change when people worked together.

San Francisco’s growth during the Gold Rush is an example of how hope and hard work can shape a city. The people who came brought many different languages and traditions. This made San Francisco a unique place full of energy and new ideas.

Interesting Fact: In 1849, there were so many abandoned ships in San Francisco’s harbor that some were turned into hotels and stores right on the water!

What caused San Francisco to grow fast?

Gold RushA big fireA new railroadA new school

How many people lived in San Francisco in 1848?

About 200About 2,000About 36,000About 100,000

Where did most people arrive from?

By shipBy trainBy wagonBy horseback

What does 'boomtown' mean?

A slow cityA city that grows fastA city with no peopleA quiet village

Why were some ships abandoned?

Crew went to find goldStorms sank themThey were too oldThey were broken

What problem did people face?

Not enough homesToo much rainToo many parksEmpty streets