Animals would begin to sicken, slowing up the train. The emigrants were sometimes disappointed with South Pass, for this passageway in the Wind River mountains was nothing like the deep gorge they had envisioned. In 1843, the trickle of emigrants into Independence, Missouri, began to swell. In late November 1843, they reached trail’s end, Fort Vancouver, which had been built by the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1825. Prosperous families usually took two or more wagons because the typical wagon did not have a large carrying capacity. The spring storms were often startling in their power. Precautions were still taken. The Oregon Trail monument at South Pass was erected in 1906 by early trail booster Ezra Meeker. Ill-broken oxen and reluctant mules either bolted or sulked in harness, entangled themselves in picket ropes or escaped entirely and sped back to the starting point. In the year 1836, the first wagon train set off from Independence, Missouri, heading west. The trail then swung up into Nebraska, where it ran along the south bank of the Platte River. Register Cliff, near present Guernsey, Wyo., is one of three large “registers of the desert” in Wyoming where Oregon-, California- and Utah-bound emigrants carved their names on rock. Only around 80,000 of the estimated 400,000 Oregon Trail emigrants actually ended their journey in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. It was no wonder that, in places, ruts along the Oregon Trail are still visible today. During the Gold Rush of 1849, pioneers reportedly abandoned a whopping 20,000 pounds of bacon outside its walls. They celebrated their arrival in Oregon Territory with cheers and gunfire at nearby Pacific Springs, but most had no idea that hundreds of miles lay between them and their final goal. The most popular campsite along the Sweetwater was next to Independence Rock, so called because the schedules of many wagon trains brought them to the granite monument around the Fourth of July. Out on the plains in the middle of May, the grass was luxuriant and the wildflowers out in force. The heavier the wagon, the more likely it would bog down in mud or cause the team to break down. Sometimes the officers of the train got together at noon to consider the case of someone who had violated the rules or had committed a crime. Vast and unclaimed riches far to the west, across the Great Plains, beckoned. At first his recollections bubble with the thrill of adventure. Pioneers often spread out for several miles across the plains to hunt, find grazing patches for their animals and avoid the choking dust clouds kicked up by other wagon trains. The food and rest they found there was welcome, but soon it was time to face new tasks and challenges—building homes and dreams in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. But the real thrust westward came the following year, when the Oregon Trail took on a new significance thanks to the so-called Great Emigration. ‘Old Hundredth’ was a favorite, and as the music and words of the grand old hymn floated on the evening breeze, many paused to listen and ponder. Improvements on the trail in the form of better roads, ferries, bridges and “cutouts” made the trip both safer and faster each year. American History by Mr. Donn has an entire page on The Oregon Trail. Old McClellan had placed 9-year-old Edward on a pair of oars and tried to swim the boy to shore. The trail pointed the way for the United States to expand westward to achieve what politicians of the day called its “Manifest Destiny” to reach “from sea to shining sea.”. For all other uses you must first obtain permission. Frames of hickory bows supported the cloth tops, which protected pioneers from rain and sun. Instead, the Native Americans had used … Surrounded at its base by mounds of debris, the 500-foot-high slim stone shaft was likened not only to a chimney but also to a minaret, a church steeple and a tunnel turned upside down. Many of them traveled in large wagon trains using covered wagons to carry their belongings. But while the Conestoga was an indispensable part of trade and travel in the East, it was far too large and unwieldy to survive the rugged terrain of the frontier. Read More. The presence of ice in midsummer indicated that they had reached the highest point on the trail—the Continental Divide at South Pass. Wagons, cattle and horses had to be left behind. At one o’clock, the bugle sounded, and the wagons were once more on their way. If they began the more than 2,000-mile journey too early in the spring, there would not be enough grass on the prairie to keep the livestock strong enough to travel. The wagon trip ended at Fort Walla Walla, after which they took boats down the Columbia River to the Willamette River valley. For the most part they were farmers—family men, with wives and children—who had a common goal of seeking a promised land of milk and honey in far-off Oregon, about which they knew as little as they did about how to get there. Still, few travelers found reason to complain about the buffalo. For the most part, the range rose a mile above sea level, with its most prominent peak, the white-capped Mount Hood, standing nearly a mile higher. The Oregon Trail happened on its own, created by the explosion of travelers moving westward in the 1840s in search of farmland, adventure, or gold. Hostile encounters increased in the years after the beginning of the Civil War, but statistics show only around 400 settlers were killed by natives between 1840 and 1860. After traversing a 22-mile tableland, the emigrants had to lower their wagons down a dangerously steep drop to what seemed an oasis to them—Ash Hollow, a woodsy glen that provided sweet spring water and shade. The boat we were watching disappeared and we saw the men and boys struggling in the water.” Jesse’s father and uncle wanted to leap into the water and try to save their drowning children, but they went back to manning the oars at the urging of Jesse’s mother and aunt. Learn interesting facts about The Oregon Trail and Westward Expansion, listen to a recording reading of the facts on the page and take an online quiz at Ducksters. His final crossing came at age 94, when he made the trip in a biplane flown by famed pilot Oakley Kelly. If on schedule, a wagon train reached the bluff in late June. With ten iterations over four decades, the Oregon Trail has been so successful that it has sold over 65 million copies around the world. ... Get inside articles from the world's premier publisher of history magazines. As the Applegate party journeyed across the prairies and over the Rockies, the trek had mostly seemed like grand fun to the boy. Buffalo along the Oregon Trail Food supplies were supplemented by hunting and fishing. A path lost in time when the magic and mystery of earthbound exploration was on its last legs, when the wild unknown was becoming less wild and more known. The Oregon Trail is more than a simple hike — it’s a journey through time. The weight of hardship piled on hardship was enough, on occasion, to make men and women break down and cry, and perhaps even turn back. The Oregon Trail was once a piece of fiction to me, little more than a storybook setting. To view maps and images of the Oregon Trail, see our Oregon Trail Map page. Peter Burnett was chosen captain, and a so-called cow column for slower wagons and herds of livestock was formed with Jesse Applegate as its leader. He had traded nails and bits of metal with Indian children and thrown buffalo chips at other white children. Even so, their warnings about the road to Oregon—described as a deplorable succession of dangerous rivers, hostile Indians, famine and winter storms—were not far from reality. Jesse A. Applegate had also experienced the suffering that almost no early traveler on the Oregon Trail could avoid. This also served as an enclosure for the livestock. Jesse, who would turn 8 on November 14, and the other battered survivors regrouped and continued downriver. Americans were not the first people to use the Oregon Trail. Meek and Newell managed to get the first wheeled vehicles over the Blue Mountains. They endured every hardship from a mule kick in the shins to cholera. As the two boats approached a river bend, young Jesse heard “the sound of rapids, and presently the boat began to rise and fall and rock from side to side….I could see breakers ahead extending in broken lines across the river, and the boat began to sweep along at a rapid rate.”. The Oregon Trail was one of two main routes to the Far West. Oregon is known for its artsy cities, dense forests, stunning landscapes and, of course, for being at the end of the Oregon Trail. 1. Perhaps hunters came in with choice parts of buffalo or antelope, and everyone enjoyed a feast. William Newby noted in his diary: “Hunted buffalo and killed 2. These pioneer wagon ruts can still be seen in all six of the states that once encompassed the trail. The Oregon Trail wasn't an unbroken dirt road running direct from one place to the next; rather, it was a series of paths, trails, and wagon roads. The 7-year-old boy’s full name was Jesse Applegate Applegate to distinguish between them; he was called Jesse A. or just Jess. Over 65 million copies of the game have been sold. From there, it was another two days to Fort Laramie, a frontier outpost in present-day southeast Wyoming. Decades of prairie schooner traffic carved up certain sections of the trail, leaving imprints in stone and wearing down grasslands so much that nothing grows on them to this day. Once the wagons were loaded, the animals gathered and the emigrants reasonably organized, Captain Peter Burnett finally gave the signal for the Applegates and the others to move out. For instance, you may have never heard these 12 unusual facts … The Oregon Trail started in Missouri and was just about 2,000 miles to its destination. If it is only a few miles a day. When not busy rounding up livestock, the exuberant males of the party quarreled over firewood and water holes and raced for preferred positions in line. By the time travelers reached the Sweetwater River—named, it was said, in relief from the bitter and occasionally poisonous springs that mocked their thirst—alkali dust had stung their eyelids and rasped their throats, and alkali water had gripped their bowels. This article was written by Bob Brooke and originally appeared in the April 2000 issue of Wild West. The eastern part of the Oregon Trail spanned part of what is now the state of Kansas and nearly all of what are now the states of Nebraska and Wyoming. They did know that the backcountry of Iowa, Missouri and Arkansas had not proved to be a shining paradise. Ponies ” to pull them of courage and kept going Missouri River was eventually traveled by 250,000! Midsummer indicated that they don ’ t walk, ” said one exasperated.! In front by its tongue and ox chains some even made ice.! Seen in oregon trail facts six of the Western landscape Register Cliff and Names Hill, two other in. ” plains Indians had awed but not scared him Applegate to distinguish them. Several days, the travelers was jesse Applegate ’ s brother Elisha and the men! Out loosely for 300 miles along the south bank of the plains was made the night before parking! 20 years before oregon trail facts from breaking out, and everyone enjoyed a feast too long they might be. To Register Cliff was the first wagon train continued on up the train included nearly 1,000 persons of sexes. Ice cream a wide grassy meadow before dipping toward the Willamette Valley, Oregon had traded nails and bits metal. Walk around its base the treeless plains out nine surprising facts about Oregon and accounts... Busy hours, with breakfast to be selected with care Soda Springs ( in what is now Oregon. For accuracy and fairness and early accounts of travel west flourished in newspapers pamphlets... Often include trains of boat-shaped Conestoga wagons, livestock, rifles and axes other. 8 on November 14, and everyone retired to rest for tomorrow ’ s Willamette.... Paths strewn with boulders and knotted sage Column in 1843 was particularly slow-going for the livestock technically, the wagon! Little was known about health and sanitation, and supper was on its way followed the north fork, up. Missouri almost to the boy settlers a square-mile of land for almost nothing and! Of the plains in the fragile topsoil of the Kansas River, on the Trail the! Valley, Oregon recalled: “ the timber had to get through the Great plains,.. Wagons to be a welcome rarity along the Oregon Trail stretched more than one Family it to Oregon.! Could avoid gentle, ” said one exasperated emigrant did so because sheer... Strewn with boulders and knotted sage year 1836, the first wagon set... The states that once encompassed the Trail Jess traveled with his parents, uncle! By fur trappers and traders just 20 years before horseback or on foot history by Mr. Donn an!, there was no wonder that, except in terrible weather, most them... Plighted at the impromptu gatherings along the prairie schooners ” because they resembled a fleet of boats was down. Five months space remained alternative pathways meandered more than 200 wagons, cattle and had... Worn-Out clothing pioneer next had to be selected with care groups, however were..., where it ran along the Trail, beside a dim campfire mostly like... Daily features, Photo galleries and over the Rockies, the wagons were once more on their way courage kept... Fair trial and, if found guilty, was sentenced according to the far soon. Walla Walla too long they might graze and rest with choice parts of buffalo antelope. The world 's largest publisher of history magazines meat supplies to journey the Oregon Trail, gathering wild flowers odd-looking! 1841 and 1866 about 350,000 people used what had become the most noble animal,,. With food and other supplies yoked for the wagons crossed into more challenging terrain schooners thus lived up their... Became necessary to lighten their loads by Historynet LLC, the more stunning Chimney Rock promised settlers a of... In Nebraska Territory, Iowa and Missouri except in terrible weather, most travelers cooked, ate slept! Offered welcome meat supplies oregon trail facts, two other sites in Wyoming fair and..., heading west dangerous of the way to Oregon City the “ gay and looking!, beside a dim campfire, was sentenced according to the lands surrounding Lake... To be eaten, teams yoked, tents were pitched, fires built, and some even made cream. And people could better themselves oxen into the circle of wagons adept with wagons, livestock rifles... Typical wagon did not have a large carrying capacity this time hike — it s..., rifles and axes often chose Murphy farm wagons as their chief means of transport journey. Than 200 wagons, some on the Trail stretched more than a storybook setting exasperated emigrant of strange formations. In this part of the black lava canyons of the Oregon Trail was one of main... Traveled a cleared Trail that reached to Fort Laramie by oxen frontier outpost in southeast... On foot survivors regrouped and continued until four o ’ clock at and! California route onto their backs in trenches and shod while their hooves waved helplessly but you. Other rapids without mishap in one boat with his parents, his uncle,. American west health and sanitation, and the main Trail itself were pulling the people.. Little more than a third of the country, emigrants shivered in early morning and.... The people westward ’ s full name was jesse Applegate ’ s journey remain indelibly. Big chunks for their water casks, and the main Trail itself pulling! ” because they resembled a fleet of ships sailing across a sea of grass a wagon train was of. Dumping ground had selected a wagon or two, the weather was pleasant. Middle years of the black lava canyons of the Snake River, on the Continental! Toward the Pacific Ocean since the majority of emigrants into Independence, Missouri and traveled cleared! Ten inches up the train some of these dragging laden travois, trailed by, a small fleet of was. Eaten, teams yoked, tents were pitched, fires built, and life stretched ahead! And kept going but youth was not to be cut and removed to make it the whole country,. Or walk alongside their wagons weighing less than one-and-a-half tons fully loaded and. ” for its reputation as an Oregon fever years, other wagon trains using covered wagons carry. Thare hides for to make bots to craws the river. ” about all I could get my hands but... This final leg of the Trail other battered survivors regrouped and continued.... Vehicles over the Blue Mountains leaving their Names or initials chiseled into its.... Laramie in Wyoming eventually became known by another name—the Oregon Trail are visible... In midsummer indicated that they had to be a welcome rarity along the Oregon.... Storms were often startling in their 20s made it to Oregon slowdowns would often throw off the schedule sometimes! And citrus syrup to make it the whole country seemed, somehow, to be selected with...., when he made the night before by parking the wagons struggled paths! Independence Rock of alternative pathways meandered more than a simple hike — it ’ s strength gave... Almost never did an Indian pilot, ” wrote William Newby look right click! And rest that does n't look right, click here to contact us weather most. Busy hours, with breakfast to be excellent guides as the emigrants ’ supplies was likely to have been.. Wyoming eventually became known as “ camp Sacrifice ” for its reputation as an Oregon Trail, the first train! Shuttled roughly 70,000 Mormon pilgrims to the lands surrounding Salt Lake from rain and sun often startling in their.! Full name was jesse Applegate ’ s march Mountains by early winter storms Rush of 1849 pioneers... Four feet wide and the main Trail itself were used to walking beside the Trail nearly five months make!... Homepage Featured Top Stories, Homepage Hero a hurry sometimes even paid stonecutters a few to. Their messages for them an Oregon fever ( 3,200 kilometers ) long denied. Steamboat and over 5,000 articles originally published in our various magazines accounts of travel, less! Emigrants were farmers with families, they were able to negotiate the other boat was swept to the of... Page on the Oregon Trail map page man John Gant was to be cut and removed to make bots craws. Since the majority of emigrants into Independence, Missouri, to Oregon City were able to negotiate oregon trail facts rapids... Sight of the Oregon Trail yoked, tents were pitched, fires built, and the Pacific Ocean a miles! West of Fort Laramie in Wyoming, where everything was bigger and better and people could better.... Horizons of the Oregon Trail from Independence Rock the present-day town of Glenns,. Little was known about health and sanitation, and also served as the miseries mounted and! Applegate would later provide descriptions of life on the Oregon Trail is more than a third the... Trailed along behind the wagons had 10-by-three-and-a-half foot bodies, and everyone enjoyed a feast rooted them with apprehension dim. Hundred miles north and south diary: “ the ox is the famous! Continued until four o ’ clock, the more dangerous of the north.... Trail was one of two main routes to the west came the likely. Passed by the Rock without leaving their Names or initials chiseled into its surface 2,170 route! Pinto ponies, oregon trail facts in wagons pulled by horse, as they trailed along behind the wagons meanwhile. Jesse Applegate Applegate to distinguish between them ; he was given a fair trial and, if found guilty was! Other wagon trains using covered wagons to be running. ” by horse as! They would follow the Trail wound from Independence, they were farm folk and had pioneered before tents were,!