GOLD

   In the years before the Civil War between the North and South, many families moved westward for a better life. But during the year 1848, gold was discovered in California. A vast movement of people started westward to find their fame and fortune. Many stopped along the way to California, because gold and silver was also plentiful in several states like Nevada and Arizona. Many mines played out, but many became so wealthy that they helped build the states of  Nevada, Arizona and especially California.

    Hundreds of mining camps, towns or just spots where the miners pitched their tents to pan for gold, shelters of some type were constructed and later abandon if the gold played out or diggings were slim. All these places that once stood filled with singing, laughter, drunkenness, hardship and sorrow, are now all gone. What is left is the wind and ghosts.