Kansas Historical Society
Beyond Lewis & Clark: The Army Explores the West
This website looks at military explorers from Lewis and Clark (1804) to George Custer (1874).
PBS
Pbs: The West Benjamin "Pap" Singleton
From the critically acclaimed PBS series, "The West," this site provides a brief biography of Benjamin "Pap" Singleton, a leader of the "Great Exodus" which brought thousands of African Americans west from the post-Reconstruction South.
Smithsonian Institution
National Postal Museum: The Story of the Pony Express
This article explores the story of the Pony Express, the "speedy" mail service that once connected the Eastern U.S. with the West.
Utah Education Network
Uen: Utah History Encyclopedia: Pony Express in Utah
This resource provides concise historical information concerning the Pony Express in Utah.
Curated OER
National Park Service: Nicodemus National Historic Site
This site from the National Park Service provides the history of Nidodemus, Kansas, first western town planned by and for African-Americans. Settled by exodusters, the town served as a symbol as a land of opportunity for blacks escaping...
NSTATE
Washington: The Great Seal of Washington
Contains information on the Great Seal of Washington as well as information on the statehood of Washington.
Other
Pony Express Home Station: Pony Express Quiz
A short multiple-choice quiz on the Pony Express.
Curated OER
Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Clip Art Etc: General W. S. Hancock
(1824-1886) American soldier that served in the Mexican War, Seminole War and ion the Western Frontier.
Curated OER
National Park Service: Adeline Hornbeck and the Homestead Act
This Teaching with Historic Places lesson effectively depicts the life of a pioneer woman and ways in which the Homestead Act impacted her life. The site includes lesson plans, inquiry questions, and photos that may be used in covering...
PBS
Pbs: New Perspectives on the West
This in-depth resource presents a history of the American West from pre-Columbian times until World War I with profiles, documents, and images. It encourages visitors to link these into patterns of historical meaning for themselves....
Smithsonian Institution
National Postal Museum: Moving West
The National Postal Museum provides an intimate look at how America's postal service expanded to meet the needs of westward-moving settlers during the nineteenth century. Content includes a selection of letters written at the time, a...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: America's History in the Making: Taming the American West
Comprehensive teaching unit that explores the settling of the American West in the late 1800s and the challenges these settlers faced. Contains video and text materials, web interactives, student oriented activities, and a timeline of...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: America's History in the Making: Contested Territories
This site highlights the westward expansion of settlers in North America and the effects this expansion had on Native Americans between the Revolutionary and Civil Wars.
Other
Women in History: Mary Fields
This site contains facts about the life of Stagecoach Mary Fields (1832-1913).
Authors Calendar
Author's Calendar: Louis L Amour
Provides biographical information, extensive list of L'Amour's works and film adaptations, and a bibliography "for further reading."
Other
At Home in the Heartland: At Home on the Fringes of the Prairie (1800 1850)
Interactive site offers information and pictures pertaining to early pioneer life. See advertisements in the paper, furniture, glassware, and food preparation tools. Read stories of individuals who lived during that time and make...
Curated OER
National Park Service: Fort Davis National Historic Site
Discover the historical Fort Davis, a critical military fort during Indian Wars and the Civil War in Southwest Texas. Fort Davis served to protect many people passing by the area between 1854-1891.
Curated OER
National Park Service: Fort Davis National Historic Site
Discover the historical Fort Davis, a critical military fort during Indian Wars and the Civil War in Southwest Texas. Fort Davis served to protect many people passing by the area between 1854-1891.
Blackdog Media
Classic Reader: "The Last Trail" by Zane Grey
Text of the book "The Last Trail" by Zane Grey. (Free site registration offers some additional features, e.g., the ability to insert annotations.)
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Us History: 1865 1898: Westward Expansion: Economic Development
A quick comprehension check over economic development during Westward Expansion.
Library of Congress
Loc: Nation Expansion and Reform: Traveling on the Overland Trails, 1843 1860
Primary source information about traveling the Overland Trails, both to Oregon Country and California.
US National Archives
Our Documents: Homestead Act (1862)
Original text (and transcription) of the 1862 Homestead Act, which granted land for a five-year residence for minimal fees. Accompanied by an overview of the act, including how it both helped and hindered farmers.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: School Publishers: Join a Cattle Drive
At this site take a look at maps of cattle drives from the ranches and ranges of Texas to the market places in Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: The Homestead Act Went Into Effect
This 4-page article discusses the Homestead Act of 1862 and its effects.
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