Part 1: Gold is first discovered in California. The new American dream is born. Boston Company, a motley group of gold seekers including Dr. Charles Robinson, make the dangerous trek west to the gold fields while entrepreneur Sam Brannan mines the miners.
The men of the Boston Company discover finding gold is more difficult than they had imagined. Meanwhile, Sam's empire expands, but will a huge fire halt progress?
Sam seizes power in fire-ravaged, lawless San Francisco, dealing out his own opportunistic brand of justice. Meanwhile, the men of Boston Company toil in the gold fields.
Part 2: Brannan takes over the gold fields, evicting miners from their claims, but the men of Boston Company won't back down without a fight. Doc Robinson leads a protest that devolves into a battle that will change the miners - and the country - forever.