THE EXPANSION OF THE AMERICAN WEST
Key Dates
1804 - Under order of President Thomas Jefferson, the Lewis and Clark Expedition depart from St.Louis, Mo., on May 14, to chart a course to the Pacific Ocean.
1841 - First emigrant wagon train for California. Forty-seven people leave Independence, Mo., on May 1, and reach California on November 4.
1842 - Settlement of Oregon begins via the Oregon Trail.
1847 - After violent clashes with settlers over polygamy, Mormons leave Nauvoo, Ill., and head for the West under Brigham Young. They eventually settle at Salt Lake City, Utah.
1848 - Gold discovered January 24 in California. In February, Mexico ceded claims to Texas, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah and portions of Colorado. U.S. pays Mexico $15 million.
1849 - 80,000 prospectors emigrate to California to follow the gold boom.
1859 - First commercially productive oil well drilled near Titusville, Pa. by Edwin Drake on August 27; led to expansion of oil fields in the southwest territories.
1861 - First transcontinental telegraph line completed October 24.
1862 - Homestead Act was approved on May 20, grants free family farms to settlers.
1867 - The Grange was organized December 4 to protect farmers interests.
1869 - Transcontinental railroad completed; golden spike driven at Promontory, Utah, May 10, marking the junction of Central Pacific and Union Pacific railways.
