James Lick was born in Stumpstown (now Fredericksburg) Pennsylvania back in 1796. The son of a carpenter, he learned the craft at an early age. When he was 21, he moved to New York City where he set up shop. Moving again to Baltimore, Maryland he learned the art of piano making, quickly mastering the skills he started making pianos.
He moved around a lot finally settling in San Francisco, California in 1848 with $30,000.00 in gold (valued in 2020 at 2.75 million) and 600 pounds of chocolate. The chocolate sold quick so he convinced his friend to move to San Francisco (more on that in a moment). He also started buying up land. A few weeks after his arrival the California Gold Rush started. He continued to purchase land in Santa Clara, Lake Tahoe and a ranch in Los Angeles Count and all the Santa Catalina Island.
His friend from Peru did move to San Francisco and started making chocolate there, maybe you’ve heard of him Domingo Ghirardelli, the founder of Ghirardelli Chocolate Company. At the time of his death in 1876 James was the richest man in California.
NW Arkansas come for a visit, stay for a lifetime.
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