Library of Congress
Loc: Teachers: Journeys West
A series of lessons utilizing primary texts, including narratives, photographs, and maps, through which young scholars explore the following question: "What motivated thousands of people to journey west during the 1800s?"
Sacramento Bee
Gold Rush: On Your Mark, Get Set, Gold
This CalGoldRush.com site is an article that discusses where people came from, as well as the number of people involved in the California gold rush. The article focuses on the massive migration to California.
Other
Oregon California Trails Association: New Light on the Donner Party
The myths, mysteries, and facts are revealed at this Donner Party site. At the beginning of November 1846, a group of California-bound immigrants was trapped by snow in the Sierra Nevada. By the time the last member reached safety six...
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: North Dakota
What does "Dakota mean" in French? What tribe did Sacajawea belong to? The Library of Congress's America's Story has answers and more about the state of North Dakota.
Lin and Don Donn
Lin and Don Donn: American History: Oregon Trail
This site written by teachers provides lesson ideas and links to a number of topics related to the Oregon Trail.
Curated OER
Bureau of Land Management: Basic Facts About the Oregon Trail
Learn basic facts about the Oregon Trail and the early pioneers who used it in their move West.
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: Frontier Life
This is the accompanying website for the popular PBS reality show, The Frontier House. Includes historical essays, quotations, and illustrations. Reading level suitable for upper elementary and middle school.
Other
Triumph and Tragedy: Women's Voices From the Oregon Trail
Here is the story of the women and their families who traveled on the Oregon Trail. Much of the story is told in the words of women who were actually on the trail.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: City and Suburb: Chicago and Park Forest, Illinois 1950s
Exhibition highlights the differences between city and suburbia living. Visit Park Forest, Illinois, a new suburb of Chicago, where every day is moving day. A station wagon and moving boxes sit in front of a new house and the new kids on...
Curated OER
Wikipedia: National Historic Landmarks in California: Walker Pass
Joseph Reddeford Walker mapped this pass in 1834 after learning of it from Native Americans. He then led the first immigrant wagon train through it in 1846. This pass significantly contributed to the development of California.