本片的劇情開始於1889年，最後的結局終結於1929年。主人公攜帶妻子來到美國西部的俄克拉荷馬州，打算在草原上建設他們的新家園。然而，西部生活絕非一帆風順。他們同當地牧場主產生了利益糾紛，糟糕的治安環境使得土匪時常侵擾。主人公同情印第安人，經常做出一些義舉。他還組織親朋好友開發油田、開辦報紙。這些舉動卻招來了更多的仇恨，最終主人公在油井失火中喪失了性命。在長達40年的時間之中，主人公到達的地方原本只是一個偏遠地區的小城鎮，結果由於在地下發現了石油而蓬勃發展起來，到1929年的大蕭條之前已經成為了一個繁榮的都市。這個過程也可以看做是美國西部大開發過程中無數城市身上所發生故事的縮影。

Peterson has a plan to obtain all the ranches in the valley. He gives Carson a phony Spanish land grant and has him pose as the Mexican owner. When Fred and Fuzzy have their cattle stolen by Peterson's men, they quickly become involved in the scheme.

After being shanghaied in a plot to have him declared dead and take over his ranchero and other properties, Don Ricardo, disguised as a peon, returns to Old California, and begins the fight to reclaim what is his.

Easterner Robert Wagner has been lured West by the Government's announcement of new land grants. As he prepares for the approaching land rush he make the acquaintance of Westerner Jim Henderson and his wild daughter, Tex. Tex is a true daughter of the frontier unhampered by conventions or skirts and while she finds herself smitten with Wagner, he however is hampered by his New England sensibilities and can't abide a woman that behaves as Tex does. It takes a truly grim turn of events before Tex can prove herself to this reserved New Englander.