The Cariboo Gold Rush began in 1858 when gold was discovered in the Fraser River region of British Columbia, Canada. This discovery led thousands of prospectors, known as "49ers," to flock to the area in search of fortune. The rush significantly impacted the local economy and population, as many settlers moved to the region. As the gold supply dwindled in the Fraser River, prospectors moved north to the Cariboo region in the early 1860s. The construction of the Cariboo Wagon Road facilitated access to the goldfields, further increasing the influx of miners. The rush ultimately contributed to the development of British Columbia as a province.