On Saturday we attended the dedication of this historical marker near one of our church buildings in Folsom.
It was dedicated in honor of Thomas Rhoads.
After the program, a group went to the site of the marker for the official dedication. The older woman is one of his descendants. She spoke on the program. Standing next to her is Folsom's mayor. On the other side is a woman from out stake who worked to get this marker. Dan took this photo and there are some photos with him in them taken by a professional photographer but we don't have any yet.
Some of the crowd looking on.
If you click on this you can probably read it, but basically it says that Thomas Roads discovered gold in the area, but instead of staying and possibly making millions for himself, he returned to Utah and gave some of the gold to Brigham Young to help the church.
(Side note of some of my own research: A son-in-law who stayed behind was shot by miners in 1851 so not everyone who stayed in California "made millions.")
A local artist rendered this likeness of Thomas Rhoads which was put on the marker.
A re-enactor was at the event.
Dan offered the dedicatory prayer at the marker site. He was asked to write it out as it will be part of the official record.
Our Father in Heaven, we assemble ourselves together today for the dedication of this Historic Marker commemorating Rhoades Diggings, a significant source of gold during the California gold rush. Now located within the city of Folsom, California, Thomas Rhoades mined from these diggings gold that supplied the Salt Lake Mint and was a much-needed resource for the struggling Mormon settlement there.
We ask thee to protect this marker from the elements of nature and vandalism, or any other thing that might detract from the purpose for which it was placed here.
We pray that this will serve as a reminder to us, and to future generations, of the great heritage we have from our pioneer forefathers who accomplished important things to help build thy kingdom while in this area, and for the tremendous efforts they put forth in settling the West and developing this great country of ours.
May we be reminded that in spite of the continued gold and wealth that could be had by staying here, Thomas Rhoades and the majority of the early Mormons of this vicinity turned their backs on those fortunes to rejoin the main body of the members of their Church as counseled by a prophet of God.
In addition to dedicating this marker today, we dedicate our lives to the memory of these early California pioneers. The greatest honor we can pay them for the rich legacy they have left us, is to live our lives each day by the same eternal principles that guided them in their lives, that we may be a positive influence for good with our friends, neighbors, and in strengthening our communities.
We humbly offer this dedicatory prayer in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, AMEN.
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