From 1859 to 1864, gold was discovered in Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and British Columbia, sparking several gold rushes bringing thousands of prospectors and miners to explore every mountain and canyon and to create the Rocky Mountains' first major industry.
Dende 1859 ata 1864 foi descuberto ouro en Colorado, Idaho, Montana e a Columbia Británica, facendo saltar varias febres do ouro e levando a milleiros de prospectores e mineiros a explorar cada montaña e canón das Rochosas, creando así a primeira grande industria da cordilleira.