In 1843, many people sold their homes, farms, livestock, and most of their possessions, to join other pioneers traveling by wagon being pulled by oxen, or mule. Horses were not used, because they could not live off of the prairie grasses along the way, and the oxen or mule could.
The Oregon Trail was a four to six month journey back then, about 2,000 miles across land and prairies, now divided into the states of Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, Idaho, and Oregon.
There were many hardships on this trail. Many people lost their lives due to various fatalities, such as being run over by a wagon, being struck by lightening, unable to cross the rivers, and a deadly disease called "Cholera". Often an emigrant would go from being healthy to dead in a matter of hours from this illness, and many times they would not get a proper burial. Animals would dig them up, and scatter their remains along the trail.
Both Starting in Independence, Missouri, the Oregon Trial and the Santa Fe Trail, shared a route for 40 miles. Near Gardner, Kansas, the Santa Fe and the Oregon Trails split. In Nebraska, the pioneers found a safe haven at Fort Kearney, Nebraska. Fort Kearney has a reconstructed stockade, a sod blacksmith shop, and a visitors center. Chimney Rock, which is located near Bayard, ranks as the landmark mentioned most.
Fort Laramie Wyoming was along the trails sites. You can explore ruts from wagon wheels that are five feet deep, and at Independence Rock, there are names and dates carved in stone, of travelers that passed by.
Soda Springs, Idaho, was a place that travelers looked forward to, as they could add sugar to the natural carbonated spring water. Fort Hall was the last split in the trail, and was the last chance for emigrants to decide whether to go to California, or Oregon, and finally those who traveled on to Oregon, where they came into view of the Blue Mountains, and Baker Valley.
Tags: ...
Comments (0):