The Oregon TrailThe Oregon Trail

The Route WestThe Route WestA 2,000 mile walk or a year-long A 2,000 mile walk or a year-long boat rideboat ride  

The Oregon Trail was much more than a The Oregon Trail was much more than a pathway to the state of Oregon; it was the pathway to the state of Oregon; it was the only practical corridor to the entire western only practical corridor to the entire western United States. United States.

The places we now The places we now know as Washington, know as Washington, Oregon, California, Oregon, California, Nevada, Idaho and Nevada, Idaho and Utah would probably Utah would probably not be a part of the not be a part of the United States today United States today were it not for the were it not for the Oregon Trail. Oregon Trail.

That's because the Trail was the only That's because the Trail was the only feasible way for settlers to get across feasible way for settlers to get across the mountains. the mountains.

The journey west on the Oregon Trail was The journey west on the Oregon Trail was exceptionally difficult by today's standards. exceptionally difficult by today's standards. One in 10 died along the way; many One in 10 died along the way; many walked the entire two-thousand miles walked the entire two-thousand miles barefoot. barefoot.

The common The common misperception is that misperception is that Native Americans Native Americans were the emigrant's were the emigrant's biggest problem en biggest problem en route. Quite the route. Quite the contrary, most native contrary, most native tribes were quite tribes were quite helpful to the helpful to the emigrants. emigrants.

The real enemies of the pioneers were The real enemies of the pioneers were cholera, poor sanitation and--cholera, poor sanitation and--surprisingly--accidental gunshots.surprisingly--accidental gunshots.

The first emigrants to The first emigrants to go to Oregon in a go to Oregon in a covered wagon were covered wagon were Marcus and Narcissa Marcus and Narcissa Whitman who made Whitman who made the trip in 1836. the trip in 1836. They went as They went as missionaries to the missionaries to the Native AmericansNative Americans

But the big wave of But the big wave of western migration did western migration did not start until 1843, not start until 1843, when about a when about a thousand pioneers thousand pioneers made the journey. made the journey.

That 1843 wagon train, dubbed "the great That 1843 wagon train, dubbed "the great migration" kicked off a massive move west migration" kicked off a massive move west on the Oregon Trail. Over the next 25 years on the Oregon Trail. Over the next 25 years more than a half million people went west more than a half million people went west on the Trail. on the Trail.

Some went all the way to Oregon's Some went all the way to Oregon's Willamette Valley in search of farmland--Willamette Valley in search of farmland--many more split off for California in many more split off for California in search of gold. search of gold.

The glory years of the The glory years of the Oregon Trail finally Oregon Trail finally ended in 1869, when ended in 1869, when the transcontinental the transcontinental railroad was railroad was completed.completed.

Actual wagon ruts Actual wagon ruts from the Oregon from the Oregon Trail still exist today Trail still exist today in many parts of the in many parts of the American West; and American West; and many groups are many groups are working hard to working hard to preserve this preserve this national historic national historic treasure.treasure.

Okay, but lets look at the Okay, but lets look at the practicalities of getting there. practicalities of getting there. What did you need to take..What did you need to take..

Crossing the continent to settle in Oregon Crossing the continent to settle in Oregon was not a journey for the faint of heart, was not a journey for the faint of heart, and neither was it a journey for the poor. and neither was it a journey for the poor.

It required a minimum It required a minimum of about $500 to outfit of about $500 to outfit for the trip, and this for the trip, and this could easily become could easily become $1000 or more if an $1000 or more if an emigrant needed to emigrant needed to purchase a wagon and purchase a wagon and draft animals. draft animals.

1000=$1000=$23,594.24 in 200923,594.24 in 2009

You could outfit You could outfit yourself at any of yourself at any of several “jumping off” several “jumping off” points.points.

Independence and St. Joseph, Missouri were two of the major jumping off spots.

Emigrant Lansford Hastings:

"In procuring supplies for this journey, the emigrant

should provide himself with, at least, 200 pounds

of flour, 150 pounds of bacon; ten pounds of

coffee; twenty pounds of sugar; and ten pounds of

salt."

A family of four would need over a

thousand pounds of food to sustain them

on the 2000 mile journey to Oregon. The only practical way to haul that much food was a

wagon.

The The preferred preferred animals to animals to pull the pull the wagons wagons were oxen.were oxen.

The farm The farm wagon wagon soon soon replaced replaced the too the too heavy heavy Conestoga Conestoga wagons.wagons.

River crossings were a constant River crossings were a constant source of distress for the pioneers. source of distress for the pioneers. Hundreds drowned trying to cross the Hundreds drowned trying to cross the Kansas, North Platte and Columbia Kansas, North Platte and Columbia Rivers--among others.  In 1850 alone, Rivers--among others.  In 1850 alone, 37 people drowned trying to cross one 37 people drowned trying to cross one particularly difficult river--the Green.particularly difficult river--the Green.

The emigrant wagons The emigrant wagons didn't have any safety didn't have any safety features. If someone features. If someone fell under the massive fell under the massive wagon wheels, death wagon wheels, death was instant. Many lost was instant. Many lost their lives this way. their lives this way. Most often, the victims Most often, the victims were children.were children.

Great thunderstorms took their toll. A Great thunderstorms took their toll. A half-dozen emigrants were killed by half-dozen emigrants were killed by lightning strikes; many others were lightning strikes; many others were injured by hail the size of apples. injured by hail the size of apples.

Pounding rains were especially difficult Pounding rains were especially difficult for the emigrants because there was no for the emigrants because there was no shelter on the open plains and the shelter on the open plains and the covered wagons eventually leaked. covered wagons eventually leaked.

After a few days on the After a few days on the trail, the emigrants trail, the emigrants would settle into a well-would settle into a well-defined daily routine. defined daily routine. Awake before sunup; Awake before sunup; yoke the oxen, cook the yoke the oxen, cook the breakfast; and hit the breakfast; and hit the trail.trail.

There was an hour break for lunch and at about There was an hour break for lunch and at about six p.m., they set up camp. The emigrants did six p.m., they set up camp. The emigrants did circle their wagons, but it wasn't for protection circle their wagons, but it wasn't for protection against the Native American tribes. Instead, the against the Native American tribes. Instead, the circle provided a convenient corral for loose circle provided a convenient corral for loose livestocklivestock

Almost immediately the campfires started burning Almost immediately the campfires started burning and dinner was begun. Cooking bread over a and dinner was begun. Cooking bread over a campfire was something of a challenge--the result campfire was something of a challenge--the result was usually burned on the outside and doughy on was usually burned on the outside and doughy on the inside. Even worse, keeping bugs and dirt out the inside. Even worse, keeping bugs and dirt out of the mix was nearly impossible.of the mix was nearly impossible.

When the Trail got When the Trail got crowded--in 1849 crowded--in 1849 and later--camping and later--camping became more became more difficult. The biggest difficult. The biggest problem was finding problem was finding fuel for the fuel for the campfires. campfires.

Soon trees were scarce and there was only Soon trees were scarce and there was only one alternative--buffalo dung. No one liked one alternative--buffalo dung. No one liked collecting it, but it did burn--and gave off a collecting it, but it did burn--and gave off a consistent odorless flame.consistent odorless flame.

If they were lucky, the emigrants would have If they were lucky, the emigrants would have quail or buffalo with their bread. But most quail or buffalo with their bread. But most often, they ate bacon--day after day.often, they ate bacon--day after day.

At five a.m. the whole At five a.m. the whole process started again; process started again; fifteen miles a day for fifteen miles a day for nearly six months.  nearly six months.  

The pioneers used The pioneers used guidebooks which guidebooks which were purchased in were purchased in St. Louis to show St. Louis to show them easier routes them easier routes to the Oregon to the Oregon Territory. Territory.

The guidebooks The guidebooks would point out rivers would point out rivers and mountains they and mountains they had to cross and had to cross and landmarks that they landmarks that they would see along the would see along the way to help them way to help them have a safer journey. have a safer journey.

Some of these Some of these famous landmarks famous landmarks are: Chimney Rock, are: Chimney Rock, Castle Rock, Castle Rock, Courthouse and Jail Courthouse and Jail Rocks, Rocks, Independence Rock Independence Rock and Split Rock.and Split Rock.

After the comparative ease of the plains came After the comparative ease of the plains came the mountains.the mountains.

The Rocky Mountains posed a serious threat The Rocky Mountains posed a serious threat for the pioneers. Getting their wagons, teams, for the pioneers. Getting their wagons, teams, and livestock safely across was a challenge and livestock safely across was a challenge that would have to be overcome to reach their that would have to be overcome to reach their dream. dream.

South Pass was the doorway through the South Pass was the doorway through the Rocky Mountains to the western half of the Rocky Mountains to the western half of the continent. It was the easiest mountain pass continent. It was the easiest mountain pass for the pioneers to use. for the pioneers to use.

Once on the trail Once on the trail there were choices to there were choices to be madebe made

If you made the wrong choices, like the If you made the wrong choices, like the Donner-Reed Party it could cost you Donner-Reed Party it could cost you your life.your life.

They ended up snowed in in the mountains They ended up snowed in in the mountains and had to resort to cannibalism to survive.and had to resort to cannibalism to survive.

With all of these hardships why go to With all of these hardships why go to Oregon at all?Oregon at all?

Oregon had a reputation not only for Oregon had a reputation not only for having good farmland and vast forests having good farmland and vast forests of huge, ancient trees, but also for of huge, ancient trees, but also for being free of disease. being free of disease.

This made the This made the Oregon Country Oregon Country even more attractive, even more attractive, since epidemics since epidemics were common in the were common in the East and little was East and little was known about the known about the causes of disease causes of disease and infection. and infection.

Advice from an Advice from an experienced emigrantexperienced emigrant

Having made the trip to Having made the trip to Oregon on the Platte River Oregon on the Platte River trail, permit me to offer you trail, permit me to offer you these Words of Friendly these Words of Friendly Caution! Caution!

1. Keep on the well-worn 1. Keep on the well-worn trails along the River. Don't trails along the River. Don't try new "cut-offs" and try new "cut-offs" and "short cuts." "short cuts."

2. Don't hurry your stock. Take it slowly 2. Don't hurry your stock. Take it slowly and you will get through before those and you will get through before those who hurry up. who hurry up.

3. Don't load too heavy at the beginning. 3. Don't load too heavy at the beginning.

4. Supply yourself with a fair stock of 4. Supply yourself with a fair stock of vegetables, dried fruits, acids, pickles, etc. vegetables, dried fruits, acids, pickles, etc. and use freely on the road. Let each wagon and use freely on the road. Let each wagon be supplied with some good cathartic, be supplied with some good cathartic, tonic and heating medicines. tonic and heating medicines.

5. Don't carry loaded guns. You won't 5. Don't carry loaded guns. You won't have time to hunt, and you needn't have time to hunt, and you needn't expect trouble from the Indians expect trouble from the Indians unless you go looking for it. unless you go looking for it.

6. Be careful crossing rivers and streams. 6. Be careful crossing rivers and streams. Many careless emigrants drown each Many careless emigrants drown each season. season.

7. Drink water from flowing streams. That 7. Drink water from flowing streams. That includes the Platte. The Platte water may includes the Platte. The Platte water may be "too thick to chew and too thin to be "too thick to chew and too thin to plow," but it is healthy. The mud can be plow," but it is healthy. The mud can be settled out and the "wrigglers" removed settled out and the "wrigglers" removed by straining through a cloth. by straining through a cloth.

Do not drink from trailside wells. The Do not drink from trailside wells. The are filled with disease! are filled with disease!

8. Don't pass up the 8. Don't pass up the chance to camp chance to camp where there is good where there is good feed and water, feed and water, even though it is even though it is but the middle of but the middle of the afternoon. the afternoon.

9. Be prepared to 9. Be prepared to travel in a crowd. travel in a crowd. with dust, noise, with dust, noise, confusion, and confusion, and crowded crowded campgrounds. campgrounds.

10. Watch the stock faithfully at night; 10. Watch the stock faithfully at night; and don't travel on the Sabbath! and don't travel on the Sabbath!

In conclusion, we would say to all who go West, In conclusion, we would say to all who go West, especially to the young, YIELD NOT TO especially to the young, YIELD NOT TO TEMPTATION. Carry your principles with you; TEMPTATION. Carry your principles with you; leave not your character at home, nor your Bible. leave not your character at home, nor your Bible. You will need them both and even grace from You will need them both and even grace from above to protect youabove to protect you

Oregon Trail Time LineOregon Trail Time Line

40,000- 10,000 years ago First Americans come 40,000- 10,000 years ago First Americans come to Oregon from Asia 1812 Oregon Joint to Oregon from Asia 1812 Oregon Joint occupation treaty- US and Great Britain occupation treaty- US and Great Britain

1824 Hudson's Bay Company opens Ft. 1824 Hudson's Bay Company opens Ft. Vancouver Vancouver

1836 Whitmans establish Waiilatpu Mission 1836 Whitmans establish Waiilatpu Mission 1837 Economic depression in United States 1837 Economic depression in United States 1842 First wagon train travels on the Oregon 1842 First wagon train travels on the Oregon

Trail Trail 1844 President James Polk's campaign slogan: 1844 President James Polk's campaign slogan:

"All of Oregon or War!" "All of Oregon or War!" 1845 Manifest Destiny1845 Manifest Destiny

Mormon Trail to UtahMormon Trail to UtahOpening of Barlow Road Opening of Barlow Road

1846 Donner Party1846 Donner Party

Oregon Country divided between Britain and US at49 N parallel Oregon Country divided between Britain and US at49 N parallel 1847 Whitman Massacre 1847 Whitman Massacre 1848 Oregon made US Territory1848 Oregon made US Territory

Gold discovered in California Gold discovered in California 1850 Oregon Donation Land Act 1850 Oregon Donation Land Act 1853 Washington spun off from Oregon Territory 1853 Washington spun off from Oregon Territory 1856 Mormon Handcart Brigade 1856 Mormon Handcart Brigade 1857 Oregon Constitutional Convention 1857 Oregon Constitutional Convention 1859 Oregon becomes 33rd State 1859 Oregon becomes 33rd State 1869 Completion of Transcontinental Railroad 1869 Completion of Transcontinental Railroad 1873 First Oregon Pioneer Association meeting 1873 First Oregon Pioneer Association meeting 1877 Nez Perce surrender to the U.S. army 1877 Nez Perce surrender to the U.S. army 1899 All Native American tribes in Oregon are on reservations 1899 All Native American tribes in Oregon are on reservations 1906 Ezra Meeker goes East to raise funds to commemorate the 1906 Ezra Meeker goes East to raise funds to commemorate the

Oregon TrailOregon Trail