Figure 1.--Here we see an unidentified boy with a flag decorated big-wheel bike. The boys knickers and hat suggest to us that the photograph was taken in the 1910s. The flag star-field arangement indicated that the photograph was taken before 1913 when Arizona joined the union. So we believe it was taken some time about 1910-12. We are guessing that the scene here was part of a July 4th Independence Day parade. presumally in Williamette. We are not sure what happened in 1878. The willamette Valley is located in northwestern Oregon. It is a fertile valley znd is today the most populated part of the state.

The Amereican West can be defined in many ways. It is essentially the area west of the Mississppi. The original United States as ceded by Britain stopped at the Mississippi. Geography and history make a more meaninful regional definition as west of the Midwestern Plains states and nortwest of the Southwestern states. This thus defines the West as California, the Pacific Northwest, and the Rocky Mountain states. Some authors define the West differently. Some authors see the West as the area now commonly seen as the Old West with cattle drives and cowboys, much of which is located to the east and south of the West as we decribe it. Here the fur trade played an iportant role. Part of the region was acquired as part of the Louisian Purchase (1803). The region was opened by Lewis and Clarke followed by the paddling up the Misouri River to trap furs. Possession of the Pacific Northwest was dispute with Britain and the border was not settled the Oregon Treaty finalized it (1846). The rest of the West was acquired as a result of the Mexican-American War (1846-48). California was very lightly settled at the time of the outbreak of the Mexican-American War (1846). The Califorina Gold Rush changed that (1848-49). California entered the Union soon after, never having a territorial government (1850). Califormia is large enough especially after the growth in population to be a region unto its own. The fertile land in the Oregon Territory reported by Lewis and Clarke and mountain men led to an influx of settlers, especially in the Willimette Valley. Thus Oregon became a state relatively early (1859). Lumber and fishing became important elements of the economy. The Rocky Mountain states entered the Union much later with relatively small populations. Mining was a major part of the economy in these states.

California

California and the Southwest was acquired as a result of the Mexican-American War (1846-48). California was very lightly settled at the time of the outbreak of the Mexican-American War (1846). The Califorina Gold Rush changed that (1848-49). California entered the Union soon after, never having a territorial government (1850). Califormia is large enough especially after the growth in population to be a region unto its own.

Rocky Mountains

The Rocky Mountain region was opened by Lewis and Clarke and the mountain men hunting furs. The fur trade played an importan role in attrcting American into the region. Part of the region was acquired as part of the Louisian Purchase (1803). Mountain Men looking for furs were the first Americans to enter the area. They would help guide the settlers tht followed. The Rocky Mountain states entered the Union much later with relatively small populations. Mining was a major part of the economy in these states.

Pacific Northwest

The American claim to the Pacific Northwest was obtainined through the Louisana Purchase (1803). Possession of the Oregon Territory was disputed with Britain and the border was not settled the Oregon Treaty finalized it (1846). This split the territory at the 49th parallel. The fertile land in the Oregon Territory reported by Lewis and Clarke and mountain men led to an influx of settlers, especially in the Willimette Valley. Thus Oregon became a state relatively early (1859). Lumber and fishing became important elements of the economy. The Rocky Mountain states entered the Union much later with relatively small populations. Mining was a major part of the economy in these states.

Created: 11:26 PM 5/8/2011
Last updated: 9:35 PM 10/4/2017