Sometimes people talk about the 'West,' the 'Wild West,' or the 'Old West.' They are usually referring to the people and events of the western region of the United States during the second half of the 1800's.

During the late 1840’s the forty-niners heading for California's gold fields expand the network of trails across the continent; as wagon trains stretch across the plains and struggle through the mountains as far as the eye can see. Some also come west by ship, sailing around Cape Horn or crossing by canoe and donkey train through the jungles of Panama.

These gold rushing pioneers create the infamous boomtown life that will follow miners throughout the West, a life of hard work, hardened by gambling, drinking, violence and vigilante justice.

By the end of the 1840s, more than 80,000 fortune-seekers have made their way to California from every corner of the world, nearly tripling the territory's population

During the 1850s, California and Oregon enter the Union, as free states.  Gold is discovered in Boulder Canyon, Colorado, sparking the Pikes Peak gold rush which brings an estimated 100,000 fortune-hunters to the Rockies under the banner "Pikes Peak or Bust."

In the 1860s, Kansas enters the Union as a free state. Texas joins the Confederacy, and the United States purchases Alaska from Russia. The Colorado and Nevada territories are organized as Congress begins to strengthen federal control over the West.  They establish strong local governments loyal to the Union across the region.

During the end of the 1860s, Idaho, Nebraska, Arizona, Montana, and Wyoming territory becomes organized. Wyoming becomes the first place in the United States where women have the right to vote.

During the 1870s, the Yellowstone Act sets aside more than 2 million acres in northwest Wyoming as a public enjoyment grounds for the preservation of all timber, mineral deposits, natural interest or wonders. The goal was to create a preservation of these things in their natural condition. It marks the first time any national government has set aside public lands to preserve their natural beauties and sets a model later followed in countries around the world. Cable cars are first introduced in San Francisco during this time.

During the 1880s, Texas purchases The Alamo from the Catholic Church to preserve it as an historic shrine. Washington, Montana and the Dakotas join the United States.

In the 1890s, Congress establishes the Oklahoma Territory which is on unoccupied lands in the Indian Territory.  The discovery of gold at Bonanza Creek, Alaska, sparks the last great Western rush for riches. The United States allows for the creation of the state of Utah, and it also annexes Hawaii.