Migration. Beginning in the early 1840's, more than
350,000 emigrants headed out into the American West in
covered wagons, on horseback and on foot. It was one of
the biggest migrations in human history and one of the
most difficult - five months across dangerous,
unforgiving land. We retrace the steps of these pioneers
along the Santa Fe and Oregon Trails to gain an
understanding of those who risked so much to reach their
Americans. For centuries, the native peoples of the
American West lived a proud, independent life. But in
the mid of the 19th century they found themselves
overwhelmed by a torrent of emigrants. Theirs is a story
of tragedy and treachery but also, finally, one of hope
and the revival of ancient beliefs and customs.
Comes To Cowboy Country. Hollywood's portrayal of
the American West may not always have been accurate but
it's certainly helped preserve interest in this colorful
or American history. Classic Western films are entwined
with a time when bravery and purpose were the rule
rather than the exception. So we revisit some of the
stars of this genre, and the places where they made
their celluloid magic, to examine why the Western movie
has proven to be so enduring.
Gold Rush. More than liberty, land or lumber, gold
paved the way for the settlement of the American West.
The frenzied days of the 49'ers prospectors are long
gone but Gold Rush towns still beckon those who are
mining for memories from one of history's most exciting
Journeys. Nothing so fundamentally changed the
American West as did the "iron horse." This
new form of transportation created fortunes, hastened
the end of ancient cultures and shaped a new world. So
climb aboard as we travel through the past and the
present on America's Western railroads.
Towns: Dead or Alive. The history of the American
West is often most colorfully told in places like
Tombstone, Arizona; South Pass City, Wyoming; and
Deadwood, South Dakota. Some of the Old West's towns
have crumbled to dust. Others are very much alive. A
trip through them is a fascinating journey into the
Other Voices Of Cowboy Country. The American West of
the 19th century was not just a place of native
Americans and emigrants of European ancestry. It was
also also a place where those of African, Asian and
Spanish descent left and indelible mark. We examine that
Of Cowboy Country. Across the American West few
treasures are as precious as the wildlife that roams
this vast area. But for many of these animals -the
bison, the elk, the deer, the wild horses- the days
since the wild wild West have been perilous times. We
visit them in their natural habitats and we see what's
being done to protect them for the future.
Ancient Ones. Before the first covered wagon crossed
the plains, before the first cowboy or Spanish
conquistador, they were there. The Navajo call them
"The Ancient Ones." They flourished throughout
the American West for nearly seven centuries. Their disappearance
remains an enduring mystery. We search for answers.
Ranches. The American West is home to hundreds of
places where city slickers can experience cowboy life,
if only for a few days. It is an experience that draws
hundreds of thousands of people of all ages every year,
many of them from Europe and Asia. We'll see why.
& Roundups. Each year, more than 700 rodeos are
held across the USA. These competitions are deeply
rooted in the workaday reality of the cowboys, a reality
that still exists on ranches throughout the American
West. We explore both worlds.
Country Journeys. The American West is home to some
of the world's most fantastic terrain. So by horseback,
canoe, river raft, jeep and llama pack we see how the
pioneer spirit to explore and discover is still very
much alive and well.
Day Cowboys. The cowboy ideal is a continuing
presence in the American West. We showcase the people
and the events that continue to nourish this ideal.