The Fraser River Gold Rush began in 1857 when gold was discovered in the Fraser River, located in present-day British Columbia, Canada. This discovery attracted thousands of prospectors and fortune seekers, leading to a significant influx of people into the region. The rush transformed the local economy and contributed to the establishment of new settlements. As prospectors flocked to the area, the population of Victoria and other towns grew rapidly. The gold rush also had lasting effects on the Indigenous peoples and the environment. By the early 1860s, the excitement began to wane, but the legacy of the gold rush continued to shape the region's development.