Gold Rush Events in 1849.
From http://www.sfmuseum.org/hist/chron1.html

September 20, 1849
Mutiny aboard the U.S. Survey schooner “Ewing” at San Francisco. 

October 13, 1849
State Constitution approved by convention in Monterey. The motto of California is to be “Eureka.” 

October 21, 1849
Pioneer Nathan Spear died at age 47. He had heart disease. Spear Street was later named for him. 
Rev. O. C. Wheeler baptized Col. Thomas Kellam by immersion in the waters of San Francisco Bay. 

October 22, 1849
Philadelphia Minstrels opened at the Bella Union Hall on Washington St. just above Kearny. 

October 25, 1849
Meeting held in Portsmouth Square for the purpose of organizing the Democratic Party in California. 

October 29, 1849
Rowe’s Olympic Circus and the Ethiopian Serenaders opened today. The circus was situated in the block bounded by Kearny, Clay, Montgomery and Sacramento streets. Admission $3. 

November 6, 1849
More than 12 inches [305 mm] of rain fell tonight. Streets were in a terrible mess. 

November 7, 1849
Steamer “Senator” arrived from Sacramento City in 9 hours and set a record. 

November 10, 1849
Collector of the Port said 697 ships arrived in port since April 1 of which 401 were American and 296 were foreign. 

November 13, 1849
In preparation for statehood, voters approved a State Constitution. Peter H. Burnett was elected governor. 

November 18, 1849
John and Amanda Pelton open first tuition-free public school in San Francisco. 

November 19, 1849
Public sale of pueblo land held. 

November 29, 1849
Gov. Riley issued a Thanksgiving Day proclamation. 

November 29, 1849
Merchants’ Exchange and Reading Room opened by E.E. Dunbar today. 

December 1, 1849
Six steamers sailed the Sacramento River between San Francisco and Sacramento City; fare $30. 

December 9, 1849
San Francisco’s first fire engine arrived from the East. It was known as the Martin Van Buren engine because it has been used to water the lawn of the President’s estate in New York. It was not intended for fire use, but had been purchased to pump water from mines. 

December 10, 1849
First meeting of Chinese to discuss mutual problems and goals. 
Sale of lots in the city of San Francisco today at 10 o’clock a.m. George E. Tyler, auctioneer. 

December 15, 1849
New legislature and governmental officers met at the state capital at San José. 

December 20, 1849
25 women arrived on different vessels today. 

December 22, 1849
Gov. Burnett was inaugurated, and Military Governor Riley immediately resigned. Legislature selected Col. John C. Frémont and William M. Gwin as U.S. senators to take their seats when California wins statehood. 

December 24, 1849
“California as it is and as it May be, or a Guide to the Gold Region,” published by F.P. Wierzbicki. 
Fire destroyed most of the city. It broke out at Dennison’s Exchange on the east side of Kearny between Clay and Jackson sts. Fire spread to surrounding buildings before the bucket brigade could be formed. Fifty buildings were destroyed, and the fire caused $1,500,000 damage. This was known as the first Great Fire. Mayor-elect Geary organized the crowd which pulled down buildings with ropes to stop the fire. Edward Edgerton was killed while fighting the conflagration. 
Performance of the Pacific Minstrels at Washington Hall canceled because of the fire. 

December 25, 1849
Frederick D. Kohler and David C. Broderick called a meeting Christmas Day of citizens who had been firemen in the East, and organized a fire department for San Francisco. 

December 28, 1849
As a result of the Great Fire, Edward Otis organized the Independent Unpaid Axe Volunteer Fire Company. 

December 31, 1849
Population of San Francisco was estimated at 100,000 including 35,000 people who came by sea, 3000 sailors who deserted ships and 42,000 who came overland.