Curated OER
National Park Service: California National Historic Trail
This site from the National Parks Service gives a brief history, and description of the California trail system which was used by settlers moving to California during the 1849 Gold Rush days.
Other
Charlie Chaplin Official Website
This is the official website for the legendary comedian, director and silent film star who was born in England in 1889. Features biographical information in addition to stills from some of his more famous movies such as "The Gold Rush,"...
Library of Congress
Loc: Teachers: Journeys West
A series of lessons utilizing primary texts, including narratives, photographs, and maps, through which students explore the following question: "What motivated thousands of people to journey west during the 1800s?"
Digital History
Digital History: Western Expansion: Conclusion
A good overview of the territorial expansion and its results that occurred in the United States over the first half of the 19th century.
PBS
The West: William Bent (1809 1869)
From PBS New Perspectives on the West comes this biography on William Bent that discusses his life as a trader at Bent's Fort in Colorado in the early 1800s.
Other
Southern Nevada: The Boomtown Years: Mining
An explanation of the role speculation in both mining and railroads played in the financial panic of 1893. An interesting article from the University of Nevada.
Varsity Tutors
Varsity Tutors: Web English Teacher: Karen Cushman
Have you ever read any of Karen Cushman's work? This site features links to lesson plans and other activities for her books.
Harp Week
Harp Week: Mining Life in California
Illustrated article from Harper's Weekly, October 3, 1857, page 632, focusing on Chinese workers and their life in California mining camps.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Westward Expansion and Reform
Part of a longer time line describing the history of the American West, this section covers the period 1829 to 1859 with hyperlinks to stories and people of this time period.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: School Publishers: Carving a Memorial to Chief Crazy Horse
This Harcourt Publishing site is all about the memorial carved in the Black Hills of South Dakota in honor of Chief Crazy Horse.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Lands of Promise
Outline about the promising economic times of an expanding America during the 1800s, including changes taking place in New England, the South, the Midwest and West.
Scholastic
Scholastic: Our America: Western Expansion
Reviews of children's literature, student activities, and interactive games from Scholastic that enrich a student's understanding and appreciation of western expansion before the Civil War.
Tramline
Virtual Field Trip: The Iditarod Trail Dog Sledding Race
Travel on a Virtual Field Trip to learn more about the Iditarod Trail Dog Sledding Race. Includes a scavenger hunt.
US National Archives
Nara: American Originals: Black Hills Treaty
This web page from the National Archives and Records Administration has a link to a copy of the actual Treaty of 1868, when the United States recognized Black Hills as part of the Great Sioux Reservation.
Have Fun With History
Have Fun With History: American West
Learning module with videos and multi-media resources for students and teachers exploring the west and the pioneering spirit of America in 1804.
Virtual Museum of Canada
Virtual Museum of Canada: Community Stories: Memories of Red Lake: Why We Came, Why We Stayed
The mining town of Red Lake, Ontario is profiled. The different factors that attracted people to this wilderness area are examined. Archival photographs, native art, and early legends are included in the exhibit.
Other
Mac Bride Museum
"MacBride Museum is a fun, interactive and educational museum that highlights the overall history of the Yukon".
Royal British Colombia Museum (Canada)
Sir James Douglas
Sir James Douglas was a Hudson's Bay Company fur trader who became the second Governor of the Colony of Vancouver Island and the first Governor of the Colony of British Columbia. A synopsis of his life and family tree is provided here.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Regional Realism: Bret Harte
This is a brief biography featuring American realist author Bret Harte who drew attention to the life and sentiment of those in the West through his writings. Click on "Bret Harte Activities" for more resources.
Other
Rockmans Trading Post: Welcome to the Mineral Information Finder
During your lifetime, you will use more than a million pounds of rocks, minerals, and metals. Dig through this web site and find out how.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Arizona
Review this site for interesting Arizona facts and learn more about the Grand Canyon.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Memory: Montana
Who were the first white explorers to "set foot in Montana?" Find out more about the Native American population living in Montana. Draw on the experience of the Native American population.
Other
Frye Art Museum
Charles and Emma Frye rose to prominence in Seattle's business community in the late 1800s. This museum was established from the Fryes's extensive personal collection of over 230 works of art. "In the belief that art should be accessible...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Ap Us History: Period 6: 1865 1898
This Khan Academy resource provides a table of contents with notes for several sections of AP US History: Period 6: 1865-1898.
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