When people think of getchell gold, they usually think of the eponymous American rock band from the 80’s. But there is actually a much more fascinating story behind the name.
The term “getchell gold” is derived from a 19th century prospector named J.T. Getchell and his wild gold hunt. In 1873, Getchell left the state of New York and traveled west to California in search of his fortune. His journey started out rocky as bandits attacked his stagecoach and robbed him of his belongings. But his journey only got worse from there.
As Getchell continued searching for gold, he endured stiff competition from other miners and other natural elements. But during his search, he managed to find a real jackpot– a large, natural deposit of gold ore in the hills of Nevada. This discovery was later coined “Getchell lode” thanks to Getchell’s tireless dedication and hard work.
Though Getchell and his crew managed to bring in some impressive yields from the mine, it seemed like the mine had been thoroughly tapped. As a result, the crew soon abandoned the mine. But as it turned out, Getchell lode was still rich with gold ore and would become a highly prized source of gold for many years to come.
Overall, Getchell’s gold hunt certainly wasn’t easy. He had to brave bandits, debris, and difficult conditions just to find his fortune. But thankfully his hard work paid off and he left behind a case study for those looking to find their own success– no matter how rocky the journey may be.
This legacy led to the decade-defining American rock band from the 80s adopting the name “getchell gold.” To honor his namesake, the band also adopted the imagery of mining tools on their album.
It’s safe to say that J.T. Getchell’s wild gold hunt still lives on today far beyond what he could have expected.
