An Act of Congress, signed by President James Buchanan, which became effective on March 2, 1861, created the Territory of Nevada. President Abraham Lincoln appointed James W. Nye of New York as Nevada's first Territorial Governor. On October 31, 1864, President Lincoln proclaimed Nevada's admission to the Union as the 36th state. California and Oregon were the only western states admitted earlier. Nevada's early statehood was the result of a number of factors pertaining to the politics of the Civil War and President Lincoln's reelection campaign. During the next 75 years, many mining towns flourished, if only briefly, all over the state. Since 1931, tourism, particularly entertainment and legalized gaming, have become increasingly important to Nevada's economy. Mining also has rebounded in recent years, and Nevada now produces more gold than any other state. Federal legislation enacted in 1986 created the Great Basin National Park, the first national park in the state, which includes the area around Wheeler Peak and Lehman Caves in eastern Nevada. A small part of Death Valley National Park is located along Nevada's western boundary with California.