California Gold Rush

Examine the Gold Rush through the eyes of two people who made their way to California a few weeks apart and explore the far-reaching impact the Rush had on the nation's economic, geographic, and psychic landscape.

The military actions and achievements of three men resulted in annexation of California, but the particular exploits and controversies of John C. Fremont stand out.

See how Gold Fever really panned out with little-known nuggets of truth about untold greed, vigilante justice, dangerous and destructive practices, and even secret societies still in existence today.

The massive rush to the Klondike began on July 16, 1897, when the Steamship Excelsior arrived in San Francisco carrying enough gold to pique the curiosity of citizens affected by economic hardship.

The colorful, chaotic history of the City by the Bay, from rough-and-tumble frontier town to sophisticated cosmopolitan city.

By enabling people, money, and mail to travel back and forth to even the most remote boom towns, the stagecoach and Pony Express helped the U.S. to grow at an unprecedented pace.