The California Gold Rush played a central role in shaping American history. However, descriptions of this event often overlook its reach within international territory. Exposing this interconnectedness addresses the lack of diversity in historical archives. Through cartography and first hand accounts, this project unpacks the various narratives and discourses of the journey from the U.S. Eastern Seaboard to the West Coast via the Nicaragua interoceanic route during the mid 19th century. By illustrating how this pivotal time drew thousands of Americans in their quest to explore California’s gold fields, this project shows how and why many opted to embark on the passage via Nicaragua. While representations of historical events cannot always capture every experience, highlighting the various voices often absent in past accounts provides a fuller and more nuanced picture of this journey.