Settlers who pushed west over the Great Divide to the shores of the Pacific Ocean found the American West to be an expanse of extreme differences in time, topography, and ways of life. This paper elaborates on several historic sites in the American West. The purpose of the paper is to introduce a series of places to the students and teachers of U.S. history. The paper recommends that interested students pursue a study of the important people and significant events associated with a site. It suggests using the Internet for maps, pictures, photos, and general information. The paper provides a short description of the Western heritage of select sites in Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. (Contains 13 suggestions for further reading.) (BT)