What is the Oregon Trail?

Close

Link to this answer

Share this credible answer with others. Simply paste this code into your blog or Web page:

<a href="http://answers.encyclopedia.com/question/oregon-trail-290454.html" >What is the Oregon Trail?</a>

E-mail this answer

Link to this answer

The Oregon Trail was a pathway of about 2100 miles that ran from Independence, Missouri to the western part of the United States. It was first traced by explorers and traders, and was the only practical way for settlers to move livestock, supplies and wagons. The Trail was known by many names. It was called the Oregon Trail, the California Trail, the Platte Trail, and the Mormon Trail. It was a trail primarily used by emigrants. It was also used by the Army, stagecoaches, the Pony Express, hunters, traders and ever sightseers. It is the longest land trail in the United States. Settlers began following it in 1841 when an organized government was forming in the Territory of Oregon, which became official in 1848. Today most scholars believe that without the trail, Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Idaho and Utah would probably not be a part of the United States, but would probably belong to Canada and Mexico.  This is because the Trail was the only feasible way for settlers to get across the mountains.  The trail was extremely harsh. The terrain was dangerous, with rivers prone to flooding. Settlers had to cross deserts, prairies, and mountain with little food, supplies, or water. 

It is believed that Marcus and Narcissa Whitman were the first settlers to make the crossing of the trail in its entirety in 1836. In 1843, Marcus Whitman help a large group of about 900 immigrants make the crossing in what is known today as the “Great Migration.” Around half a million settlers are believed to have made the arduous journey. There were 10,000 deaths on the trail with about four percent happening from Indian attacks, despite the portrayal in Western Movies. In fact, most tribes were very helpful to the settlers, trading food for other goods. Until they had enough of the bad treatment they received from settlers. Other causes were cholera, smallpox, gun fights, renegades, and starvation. Some settlers had even complained of having to wear some type of cloth in front of their mouths from the dust kicked up from heavy summer traffic. Many settlers even made the journey in their bare feet. Most of the travel was done by mule or ox, as most emigrants could not afford horses. Some went, looking for farm land, and some went to California for gold. The trail was even used during the Civil War, until the transcontinental railroad was completed and settlers could make the journey more safely and comfortably. 

Today, ruts made by the trail are still visible. Re-enactments happen throughout the trail, and sightseers today can enjoy many of the same beautiful sites that the settlers saw on their journey. Conversation groups are putting forth a huge effort to make the visible trail a historic landmark. There is even an educational computer game. It was designed to teach children about 19th century pioneer life on the trail. The player becomes a wagon leader guiding a party of settlers from Independence, Missouri, to Oregon's Willamette Valley on the Oregon Trail in 1848.

o       All About the Oregon Trail , a look at the history base on the award winning documentary

o       Historic Oregon City , the interpretive center showing the end of the trail

o       The Oregon Trail , an interactive game of the journey

o       The Idaho Interpretive center on the Oregon Trail

o       The Oregon National Historic Trail , the actual trail from the National Park Service

o       Jefferson County, Nebraska , the heart of the Oregon Trail

o       The Oregon Trail  sketches and a mountain life on the trail, an ebook

o       The Oregon Trail in western Nebraska  pictures and descriptions of what the trail looks like today

o       Wagons West!  A role playing game for students in the classroom

o       Fish and Wildlife on the Oregon Trail, then and now

o       Basic Facts on the Oregon trail by the Bureau of Land Management

o       Beyond the Oregon Trail , a free ten lesson curriculum geared toward middle school

o       Oregon Trail, Bear Lake scenic byway, taking one of the alternate routes for the Trail

o       Women’s Voices from the Oregon Trail , a book put together from diary excerpts from woman on traveling on the Oregon Trail and which libraries to find it

o       Librarian’s Internet Index , and listing of other resource books on the Oregon Trail

Answer verified with
Get more facts and information about Oregon Trail from The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military at Encyclopedia.com.