Many people, known as pioneers, moved West along a route known as the Gold Rush Bighorn Trail Oregon Trail Trail of Tears

The Oregon Trail was a major route for pioneers in the 19th century, stretching over 2,000 miles from Missouri to the fertile lands of Oregon. It became a pathway to opportunity for thousands seeking new beginnings, driven by the promise of land and resources. This journey had its fair share of hardships, including harsh weather, difficult terrain, and potential conflicts with Native American tribes. The Gold Rush, notably the California Gold Rush of 1849, dramatically influenced the westward expansion of the United States. News of gold discoveries drew thousands of fortune-seekers, leading to a demographic and economic explosion in California. Towns popped up overnight, and the influx of miners and settlers transformed the region, although it also resulted in significant environmental changes and displacement of Indigenous communities.