Beginning with a discussion of the physical landscape of the region, the timeline continues, covering the first inhabitants of the California, European exploration and Spanish colonization, Mexican California, the Gold Rush, the railroad era, and the Great Depression. Most of the photographs were taken between 1860 and 1920. They illustrate Colorado towns and landscape, document the place of mining in the history of Colorado and the West, and show the lives of Native Americans from more than forty tribes living west of the Mississippi River. Also included are World War II photographs of the 10th Mountain Division, ski troops based in Colorado who saw action in Italy. Our site contains sourced essays, photo features and a detailed timeline of regional history.
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Maps, photographs, and original manuscripts are provided. Here you can find sources of history relating to the Fur Trade in the Rocky Mountain West. Sources include diaries, narratives, letters, images and more. You can read about the history of the Oregon Trail and the historic sites located along it. Other information on stations, stops, landmarks, personalities is also included.