The event that led to significant settlement in the Basin and Range Province was The Gold Rush.

The Gold Rush, particularly the California Gold Rush of 1849, spurred a massive influx of settlers, miners, and entrepreneurs into the western United States, including the Basin and Range Province. As prospectors sought fortune in California, many traveled through or settled in Nevada and adjacent areas, drawn by the discovery of gold and silver in those regions. This movement not only increased the population but also led to the establishment of mining towns, infrastructure development, and economic opportunities. The Gold Rush fundamentally transformed the demographic and economic landscape of the Basin and Range, making it a pivotal moment in American westward expansion.