Western railroads moved thousands westward to the Plains, but only the development of modern fences made settlement possible in the region.  Read more from > Railroads brought people, but fences settled Great Plains region

Grass itself shaped everything from life on the Plains to the language of the Old West.  Read more from > Grass played major role in shaping life, language of the Plains

The Prairie Traveler Handbook offers a fascinating picture of life on the trails during America’s 19th century westward expansion.  Read more from > Prairie Traveler handbook led adventurers across continent

Travelers across the Great Plains found it was nothing like a real desert.  Read more from > Great American Desert label shaped American expansion for decades

Travelers, tribal groups going to the western gold fields reshaped Plains habitat.  Read more from > Horses, gold prospectors altered Great Plains, historian says

Blizzard of 1886 was especially memorable, but winter on Plains and in mountains could always be a fearful time.  Read more from > Blizzards in Old West days