This thesis will examine several boom and bust towns inlight of the gold mining industry. The primary focus will bethe first major Gold Rush located in the mountains of NorthGeorgia during the 1820s when the area would be dramaticallychanged with the discovery of gold. Not only will this thesisdiscuss the history and origins of gold mining, but it will alsodiscuss the significance of the Gold Rush. In the process,several towns will be examined, Auraria and Dahlonega in Georgia,Telluride, Colorado; and Bodie, California. These towns areconsidered boom and bust towns, experiencing the success anddecline of development that was so closely related to goldmining. However, each town has responded to the decline indistinct ways. The conclusion of this thesis will recommendseveral strategies for other boom and bust towns based on thesuccesses of these four unique examples.