Other
Western History Genealogy: Digital Images: Native American Women
A picture gallery with information about the roles that Native American women played in everyday life in the late 19th century in the West.
Other
Doing History/keeping the Past: Farmers and Ranchers of Colorado
An essay on how farmers and ranchers lived and created communities in Colorado in the late nineteenth century. This was the period following the initial migrations of pioneers and homesteaders into the West.
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: The Orphan Trains
A site telling of the trains during the late 1800s that took orphans and unwanted children from the cities and transported them to the West to work on farms and hopefully be adopted.
US National Archives
Nara: Teaching With Documents: Glidden's Patent Application for Barbed Wire
This article from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), describes how barbed wire was important for ranchers in the West in the 1800s and how Joseph Glidden improved the original patent for barbed wire.
Other
Pioneer Yosemite History Center Online Tour: Wagons and Stagecoaches
Travel back in time to see what the pioneers used for transportation and to do their daily work. Great pictures of wagons of the west including the chuck wagon, spring wagon, farm wagon, and freight wagon. There is a link at the bottom...
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: The Last Frontier
Describes the various forces and events that shaped the expansion of the western frontier in the mid- to late 1800s.
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...
Digital History
Digital History: The u.s. Canadian Border
The border between the United States and Canada in the east and Midwest was still not settled in the 1840s. See what happened that precipitated a final decision.
Ducksters
Ducksters: History: Daily Life on the Frontier for Kids
Kids learn about the daily life on the frontier of the Old West. This site explores how pioneers and settlers lived.
Curated OER
Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Maps Etc: The West, 1783 1789
A map of the early United States between 1783 and 1789 showing the territorial State claims west to the Mississippi River, and is keyed to show undefined or disputed boundaries, boundaries of States and territories, and boundaries not...
Gabriel Dumont Institute
Virtual Museum of Metis History and Culture: The Red River Cart
The Red River Cart, an invention of the Metis, played an important role in the settling of the West by improving transportation of goods. Cart making became an industry for the Metis later on. This article explores the history of the Red...
OpenStax
Open Stax: Homesteading: Dreams and Realities
After reading this section from a chapter on "Westward Expansion", students will be able to identify the challenges that farmers faced as they settled west of the Mississippi River and describe the unique experiences of women who...
Yale University
Yale Law School: Proclamation of 1763 by King George Iii
Primary text of the Proclamation of 1763 ordered by King George III. The colonists' main objection was to a reserved area west of the Appalachian Mountains. American colonists were forbidden to settle in this area, and many colonies...
Indiana University
Victorian Women Writers Project: A Lady's Life in the Rocky Mountains (1881)
Provides the text of the book, "A Lady's Life in the Rocky Mountains," by Isabella L. Bird.
Utah Education Network
Uen: Utah History Encyclopedia: Outlaws in Utah
This site discusses the cultural icon of the western "outlaw" in the context of the state of Utah.
Curated OER
National Park Service: Homestead National Monument: Exodusters
Read about the reasons for the extensive black migration to Kansas, especially in the 1870s. These emigrants were called Exodusters. From the National Park Service.
Alberta Online Encyclopedia
Alberta Online Encyclopedia: The Land of Opportunity: Heritage Trails
This is a collection of audio and text files that describes Alberta's early history as the west is opened for settlement. Included are the stories about the great migration of immigrants from all over Europe, Asia and North America who...
Virtual Museum of Canada
Virtual Museum of Canada: Community Stories: Seeking the Story of Mission Beach
Mission Beach, Alberta has a history of Aboriginal people of different tribes and Christian missionaries of different faiths meeting together, making it the first mission west of the Red River Settlement.The exhibit includes historic...
Other
Women in History: Mary Fields
This site contains facts about the life of Stagecoach Mary Fields (1832-1913).
Curated OER
National Park Service: Stories of the Westward Expansion: Exodus to Freedom
Contains an article written on the African American exodus to Kansas to farm in the late 19th century.
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.
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.
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.
Legends of America
Legends of Kansas: Exodusters of Kansas
A look at the exodusters and the reasons the blacks left the South and migrated to Kansas after the Civil War.
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