K12 Reader
Gold Rush Boomtowns
The California Gold Rush sparked many people to try for their fortunes and led to the formation of some well-known California cities. Have your class read about the changes that happened and then respond to the five included questions.
Eastconn
Women of the California Gold Rush
The California Gold Rush was not just an opportunity for the male gold miners sifting for shiny nuggets. Small groups read accounts of the ways women took advantage of the influx of workers to run hotels, bake pies, and wading out into...
Curated OER
Follow The Road to Riches
Young scholars examine the various events occurring at the time of the Gold Rush. They see archival photographs and hear historians talk about this era. They create a time line in order to facilitate thinking about this region during the...
Curated OER
The Road to California - A Journey to Freedom
Young scholars complete a Web quest about Biddy Mason's journey Westward to California as a slave and her ultimate rise to one of the wealthiest and generous woman of the Westward Movement. They present an exhibit of their research.
Curated OER
The American West-Knowledge Test
In this American West worksheet, students complete a 24 questions test about the American West. Answers are included beneath questions on worksheet.
Curated OER
Oh My Darling
Students discuss human interaction with the environment and sing "Clementine" with historical fiction lyrics. They create a map or model of a mining camp in which Clementine may have lived. They discuss what might happen to their...
Curated OER
Washoe Indians: Dat-so-la-lee
Young scholars study the life and crafts of Washoe Indian, Dat-so-la-lee. In this Washoe Indians lesson plan, students read and study the life of Washoe Indian basket weaver Dat-so-la-lee. Young scholars study images of her crafts and...
Curated OER
Time Travel
Fourth graders become familiar with the early explorers of our state. In addition, they conceptualize life during the 1800's in relation to their own personal histories and knowledge of 19th century events.
Oakland Museum of California
Gold Rush: Stories of the Lure and Legacy
Experience the Gold Rush through this multimedia presentation. See the art that reflects the environment, characters, and the role of women in the gold rush. Listen to an overview of the gold rush and its impact.
Other
California Gold Country: No Place for a Woman?
Information about women in the California gold camps.
Other
Object of History: The Gold Nugget
Audio-pictorial overview of the story of the California gold rush.
Sacramento Bee
Gold Rush: 'Real Women' Who Defied Stereotype
This CalGoldRush.com site discusses the role of the women during the gold rush in California. They served in a variety of roles and many made more than miners. This page tells their stories.
White Pine Pictures
White Pine Pictures: First Lady of the Yukon
Martha Black was an adventurous woman who left a comfortable life in Chicago to live in the Yukon during the Gold Rush. She became the second female Member of Parliament in Canada. This site describes the making of a television...
Other
The Gold Rush: Gold Country
A great look at the people who made money providing services for the miners in the California Gold Rush.
The History Cat
The History Cat: The California Gold Rush
Describes the events that led to the California Gold Rush, the lives of the miners, the discrimination faced by Chinese immigrant miners and African Americans, the women who mostly stayed behind when their husbands went west as well as...
Smithsonian Institution
National Postal Museum: As Precious as Gold
"As Precious as Gold," is an online exhibit from the National Postal Museum which explores the rich history of the Alaskan/Klondike gold rushes. Find stories on extraordinary women, the trails, the Palm Sunday avalanche, the U.S. Postal...
Other
The Object of History: Behind the Scenes With Curators of the Nmah: Gold Nugget
Take a look at and lend an ear for primary sources featuring the California Gold Rush. Men and women from around the world landed in the United States and flocked to the west coast in search of nuggets of gold.
Other
Women in History: Martha Jane "Calamity Jane" Canary
This site provides a biographical sketch of Martha Jane "Calamity Jane" Canary (1852-1903) with many passages from her autobiography.
Other
Klondike Kate
Biographical information on "Klondike Kate" Ryan who played a role in Canadian history by becoming the first female gold inspector during the Klondike gold rush. She was also a nurse, political figure, and business woman.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Westward Expansion and Reform
Part of a longer time line describing the history of the American West, this section covers the period 1829 to 1859 with hyperlinks to stories and people of this time period.