HISTORY ON THE TRAILS
The historic trails served as critical transportation routes for emigrants traveling from Missouri to Oregon and other points west during the mid-1800s. Many came West for the promise of opportunity in the land, gold, a healthier climate, and a fresh start away from the epidemics of the Eastern United States, and the political and financial upheavals of the late 1830s.
People flocked westward in search of a better life.
The Oregon Trail
The Oregon Trail was roughly 2,000 miles from the jumping off towns of the Missouri River Valley to the Willamette Valley in Oregon. Between 300,000-400,000 emigrants traveled west on this trail from 1840-1930s. Their journey would take up to 6 months.
The California Trail
The California Trail was in use as early as 1841 but really began to boom during the months and years following the 1849 California Gold Rush. Emigrants and treasure seekers traveled around 2,000 miles taking 3-6 months to reach their new home. It is estimated around 250,000 travelers used this trail.
The Mormon Trail
The Mormon Trail brought emigrants fleeing religious persecution and seeking a promised land of peace and prosperity to the Salt Lake Basin of what is now Utah. Roughly 60,000-70,000 emigrants used this trail from 1846-1869. Their journey would typically take around 111 days.
The Pony Express Trail
The Pony Express Trail was in use for the shortest amount of time of all four historic trails, lasting only a brief 18 months from April 1860 - October 1861. During that time 80 specially hired couriers rode the trail carrying the mail from the east to the west and back again. The riders were young men between the ages of 11 all the way to their early 40s. They were required to be less than 125 lbs and were paid $100/month. The ride took only 10 days even though it covered the same 2,000 mile stretch as the other trails.
Pioneer Packing
The pioneers were able to bring very little with them. When they left their homes in the east, they had to leave most of their belongings. Often settlers with heavy household furniture discarded them along the way due to weight. The covered wagon was mostly filled with food. It took over a 1,000 pounds of food to feed a family of four on the trip out west. They took preserved foods such as hard tack, coffee, bacon, rice, beans, and flour.
Fun Facts
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Often discarded items littered the trail as families lightened their loads. Broken-down wagons were even sometimes abandoned.
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The pioneers left behind graffiti on register rocks that marked the way west.
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Indian attacks were rare and the natives often helped the pioneers.
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Cholera killed many settlers along the way and accounted for most of the 20,000 estimated deaths on the trails.
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Only about 80,000 people settled in Oregon.
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Ruts from the wagons can still be seen today along the trail.
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Ezra Meeker, the most famous traveler on the trails made the trip by wagon, train, automobile, and eventually airplane! - see him pictured below.
