During the California Gold Rush, prospectors were drawn to the Pacific coast by the romance of gold and the desire to "get rich quick" by collecting precious metals with intrinsic monetary value. The copper discovered in Arizona and Montana was less romantic, but it promised similar riches because it could be used for trading with Native Americans. was in demand as a building material for railroads. was used to make telegraph and electrical wiring. could be mined with less expense than gold or silver.

During the California Gold Rush, prospectors were drawn to the Pacific coast by the romance of gold and the desire to "get rich quick" by collecting precious metals with intrinsic monetary value. The copper discovered in Arizona and Montana was less romantic, but it promised similar riches because it could be used for trading with Native Americans. was in demand as a building material for railroads. was used to make telegraph and electrical wiring. could be mined with less expense than gold or silver.