Reno, Nevada's naming begins on the battlefields of Mexico where officer Reno serves with Steve and Red. While they head west Reno returns to West Point. He becomes a Civil War hero and his friends intend to honor him.
A wealthy land owning family sees their fortune diminished as the propery is taken by newer arrivals to the territory. The inability to find the original grant lasts decades until a cake is made for dessert.
Two miners, Slack and Arnold, arrive in San Francisco but are cautious about showing the diamonds they've unearthed. They need investors to find more and greed gets the better of men who should be wiser about elaborate swindles.
War hero Clem is teased by his fellow miners because of his appearance. When Mona arrives from Kansas Clem is smitten and makes sure her life goes well. She appreciates his kindness but dates attractive Bruce until a life changing event.
Counterfeiter James Reeves evades the sheriff by joining a Mormon wagon train. His cynical ways conflict with the faith of the others including Judith who he's attracted to. A plague of locusts and a resulting miracle changes Jim.
The women want culture in Wildcat so pretty Deborah is sent to collect money for a piano. But no one can play it after it arrives yet at night one can hear the music. Deborah discovers Chuck knows how but it bitter about having just one arm.
Peter Jeffries arrives in Sacramento to revive his family's fortune but learns Phineas Colby has monopolized financially the town. While courting the kind Laura Peter decides ice, not gold is the key to his future wealth.
Alex Grant is arrested for a fifteen year old murder when he returns to a mining camp after a long absence. Experienced prosecutor Peck faces off against new lawyer Greg Lewis who relies on the odd Harry Gander to clear his client.
A stagecoach robbery involving gold bars occurs but a novice sheriff has his doubts regarding the eyewitness accounts. A matter of simple math and weight horses can carry help him catch the criminals.
Abe Curry is determined to do anything to make Carson City a success and later helps make it the state capital. But his habit of betting on everything puts the well being of his family and future at risk.
Two Arizona newspaper men have doubts when a Spanish gentleman claims to own millions of acres in the territory. His papers date to colonial times appearing authentic but Tom is determined to prove fraud.
Mining town Aurora, Nevada is not a decent place to live proper Abby Marshall believes. After her son becomes sick and husband John is suddenly broke Abby is returning home until Major Sherman brings her bit of Massachusetts.
Norman Berry and his partner Bill Snyder find a rich vein of ore but Bill abandons him to die. He is nursed back to health by Lupin who puts a curse on Bill for his betrayal. Snyder's efforts to quickly sell his claim leads to unexpected deaths.
Stubby Weeks is teased and overlooked because of his height, losing out to Dutch for Merinda's affections. He gravitates to an archeologist who helps him with confidence and helps him show Merinda bravery comes in all sizes.
Evelyn Nelson is tired of life as wife of superintendent Harry, bored with living in isolated mining camps. But when Burke, an escaped killer holds them hostage, she and her husband must outwit him if they are to survive.
Sam's job at an Arizona territory fort is to find promising horses. He pleads for an older one, named Two Bits, which is rewarded as the animal is beyond smart. After an Indian attack Sam knows lives depend on the abilities of Two Bits.
Bill sells his gold claim to a business syndicate for $100,000. Now loaded, he invites his long-lost relatives to town for an elaborate family reunion. All the arriving guests claim to be Bottles, but are really grifters hoping to get their hands on some of his fortune. The phonies learn a lesson from Bill who treats all of them as warmly as if they were legitimate family.
Itinerant preacher John Brownell arrives in Mojave to preach but finds the townspeople resistant. He does find organist Ellie sympathetic but his one convert Gideon is accused of murder. John is literally willing to fight for his soul.
Mac Gordon is a greenhorn from Boston and is quickly spotted by conmen Sykes and Daley. They sell him a mining claim rigged to look profitable. Wife Norma is disappointed he lost their money but Mac is determined to make good for her.
Mining camp lawyer Barnaby Taylor is asked to run for Congress and he standouts with his 4 foot beard. His fiance Frances wants him clean shaven but his advisers tell him his whiskers will get him elected. Barnaby has a dilemma.
Joshua Norton was a prosperous businessman who after losing his fortune became an eccentric, declaring himself Emperor of Mexico. His fellow San Franciscans treated his humorous behavior with kindness and dignity until his death.