Mining in the American WestThough various types of
mines have existed across the nation, almost from the very discovery of America, those in the
American West, are and were the most plentiful, and the history they've left in their wakes, is of romance, fortunes made and lost, hardships, greed,
Indian Wars, and numerous crusty old
ghost towns.
From the beginning, America presented an image of golden wealth, and that image has never been lacking to the rest of the world. A key factor in shaping the national character of this country, the discovery of gold and other precious metals in the
American West accelerated western expansion, beginning with the
California Gold Rush in 1848.
After the discovery go gold in
California, which clearly showed how rich the strikes could be, more prospectors by the thousands headed west to explore every promising region in their search for wealth. To these many adventurers, no mountain was too high to climb, no canyon to precarious to descend, and no river too difficult to cross. They were a determined lot.
