It was found in Willard Gulch on April 12, 1859, and weighed in at 54 troy pounds (20 kg).

Hydraulic Mine worker Chauncey Wright found the pure gold nugget in the mud.

Chauncey Wright worked for three partners that owned the mine: Phineas Willard, Ira Weatherbee and Wyatt M. Smith.

The nugget was taken to San Francisco, and melted down to make a 49-pound gold bar.

In 2023 United States dollars the Dogtown Nugget is valued at $1.2 Million.