Towns in the west became possible when a law enabled 100 settlers to create a new township or town. The first one under the law was Oregon City, Oregon in 1859. The towns were laid out by surveyors to create streets and equal sized lots. Materials including nails and wood were imported from the east to build them although you could buy prefab homes late in the century from companies such as Sears. Water came from multiple sources including rivers and windmill pumping systems with some bigger towns such as Denver and San Francisco having centralized water systems. The basic sanitary device was the outhouse to minimize disease and pollution. The invention in 1867 of refrigerated rail cars and the use of ice houses allowed the transport and storage of many foods in a safe manner. Saloons provided a needed distraction with telegraphs used to bring in sporting news from the east. Until sheriffs were elected vigilante committees often provided the only form of justice. Fire was a major danger but fire engines from the east eased the impact. The car and telephone soon ended the isolation of the west ending the frontier.
—Anonymous