[WalterBright]

It's not a fairy tale. California became a populous state due to the gold rush.

[dragonwriter]

And, more recently (1930s-1940s) got a got a significant (around 5-10%) population boost due to Dust Bowl-driven econonic migration.

[mturmon]

...and this is reflected in the state motto, "Eureka" -- I found it, the it being gold.

[sp332]

That doesn't explain the ghost towns around the mines.

[Gargoyle]

It does. People migrated there when there was opportunity and migrated elsewhere when there were better opportunities elsewhere.