Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site Home Page
One of the homes that Poe rented in Philadelphia has been preserved as a National Historic Site. Read the online Park Brochure and Outline of Poe’s Life to learn more about this influential writer. Using what you have learned, write a brief comparison of Poe’s search for success and the fate of the poem’s "gallant knight."

The Gold Rush
In 1849, the same year that Poe wrote "Eldorado," thousands of people were heading to California in search of gold and fortune. This site, based on a PBS documentary, guides you through the euphoria and despair that marked this period of American history. Browse the site to learn why most of the miners’ dreams of wealth were not realized. Record your findings in the Web Links Activity Log.