The American West: A journey through US history
As the nation marks its 250th anniversary, Revolutionary-era sites on the East Coast highlight the nation’s birth. The Western states, meanwhile, invite visitors to see how that early promise has unfolded.
“There’s just so much history in the West, in the most gorgeous setting in the entire country — with mountains and prairies and mountain lakes,” said Jim Hagen, chair of the Western States Tourism Policy Council.
A variety of sites and events across the Western states will help visitors connect with the nation’s history this year.
Lewis & Clark
The Lewis & Clark expedition opened westward expansion. In Montana, visitors can check out Packer Meadow, the site where the Corps of Discovery camped on Sept. 13, 1805, as well as Travelers’ Rest State Park, the only archaeologically verified campsite on the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail.
In Idaho, there’s Canoe Camp along the Clearwater River, where the Nez Perce helped the Corps of Discovery build the canoes they paddled to the Pacific Ocean. In Oregon, the Corps paused at Tansy Point on Nov. 24, 1805, to take a vote on their next campsite.
The Gold Rush
The discovery of gold in California’s Coloma Valley on Jan. 24, 1848, blew open the doors of westward expansion. It drew waves of migration and helped spur the rise of iconic American brands. Wells Fargo arose to support the miners who “needed a company that could safely send their gold, money, and mail back home,” according to the company’s official history. Levi Strauss & Co. arose when its founder journeyed to San Francisco in 1853 to make his fortune, following the gold prospectors.
“In California, visitors can explore Gold Rush history — and travel some of the world’s most iconic routes, from the terminus of Route 66 to the breathtaking coastal Highway 1,” said Visit California President and CEO Caroline Beteta. “The California Dream is inseparable from the story of America.”
Alaska Purchase
In 1867, U.S. Secretary of State William H. Seward negotiated the acquisition of Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million, adding to the nation a vast territory with valuable gold and oil resources. Named for that historic statesman, the town of Seward today draws locals and visitors alike.
“Known as the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward offers multiple ways to explore the park’s glaciers and fjords, and the whales, sea otters, sea lions, puffins and other marine life,” said Alaska Travel Industry Association President and CEO Jillian Simpson.
Alaska, too, was a part of that Gold Rush history. Visitors can learn about the era in places like Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park and on the historic Chilkoot Trail in Skagway, a Gold Rush highway that now draws hikers, backpackers and trail runners.
Rise of the National Park System
The birth of the U.S. national parks had global resonance. “When Yellowstone was designated a national park in 1872, it became the first such park in the world,” according to the National Park Service.
Today, the national parks are a defining feature of the American landscape, interwoven with the nation’s history, and the oldest are in the West: Yellowstone, Sequoia, Yosemite, Mount Rainier and Crater Lake.
In fact, “The West is just chock-full of national parks and national monuments and memorials,” Hagen said, offering a wide array of choices for visitors looking to explore the nation’s history through its awe-inspiring natural features.
The 50th State
Attorney Mark Davis lives Hawaii history every day. He is the founding partner at Davis Levin Livingston, whose office building is known as Historic Davis Levin Livingston Place. It was built in 1898 in downtown Honolulu.
“Hawaii occupies a singular place in American history and identity. The attack on Pearl Harbor drew the United States into World War II and helped propel the nation into a position of global leadership in the latter half of the 20th century,” Davis said. “At the same time, Hawaii represents a rare and ongoing balance — preserving Native Hawaiian culture and traditions while fully embracing the responsibilities and opportunities of statehood.”
To mark the 250th anniversary, communities across all the islands that constitute the 50th state plan to celebrate with parades, fireworks, rodeos and cultural events — from Freedom Fest at the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai, to the Kailua Independence Day Parade on Oahu to the Makawao Town Parade and Makawao Stampede on Maui.
“The West delivers authenticity at every turn: real places, real people, and real stories rooted in the landscapes,” said former Western States Tourism Policy Council chair Sara Otte Coleman. “Come for the views, stay for the genuine hospitality and leave inspired.”