1. The Oregon Trail
By Ms. Harrington

2. Why Make the Journey
The Homestead Act- 160 for every single man and 320 acres for married couples
Climate – Can cure the sick
New Opportunities – Many lost land and savings
Land of Milk and Honey – Land is perfect for farming
Gold Discovered

3. What is the Oregon Trail?
It was the only practical, overland path for entering the western United States
The trail was about 2,000 miles
It would take about 6 months to cross
Pioneers started at jumping off towns
-St. Louis, Missouri
-Independence, Missouri
The end of the trail is Oregon City

4. What did they bring?
More

6. Located in Western Nebraska
Chimney Rock
Located in Western Nebraska

7. Chimney Rock Nearly 300 feet (90 meters) tall
Made of primarily of brule clay with layers of volcanic ash and arikaree sandstone
Helped pioneers know they were getting closer to Oregon
Has become smaller due to erosion and lightning

8. Independence Rock
Located in Wyoming

9. Independence Rock Giant, granite structure 130 feet (40 meters) high
Designated a National Landmark on January 20, 1961
Most pioneers reached this point on July 4th
Many Pioneers Carved their initials into the rock

10. Fort Kearny
Located in Wyoming

11. Fort Kearny
Founded in 1848
Built to protect the emigrants on the trail
A place for travelers to buy supplies and send mail to friends and family back east
It was abandonment in 1871

12. In 1834, a group of missionaries traveled west to the Oregon territory
In 1834, a group of missionaries traveled west to the Oregon territory. In the years that followed, many other settlers followed.
The Oregon Trail began in St. Louis, Missouri and crossed over two thousand miles of plains and mountains, finally ending in the Willamette Valley in Oregon. The journey took four to six months and the travelers faced many hardships for the promise of a better life.
Willamette Valley

13. Fort Hall
Located in Idaho

14. Fort Hall Originally built as a trading post for the fur traders
Became a stopping off point for the pioneers
Around 270,000 emigrants stopped at the fort
After leaving Fort Hall, the pioneers faced an important decision - cross the Snake River or take the overland route

15. Hardships Disease – Cholera killed more emigrants than anything else
Crossing Rivers with out losing your wagon or drowning
Injuries – Usual no doctors - cuts and broken bones could become infected
Supply and quality of water
Lack of food – run out and can’t hunt
Wagons braking down on the trail

16. Dear Journal, May 5, 1852
We have only just begun our journey and we have already come again severe challenges. As we tried to cross the great Missouri River today we had to disassemble each wagon and ferry them across one by one. After working all day we still only a third of the wagons on the west back.
On top of this painstaking and time intensive work the men struggled to get the oxen to swim across. They were so afraid of the strong current and many found themselves thrashing in thick mud. Several oxen were swept down stream or had to be left for they were stuck too deep in the mud.
I fear after this experience we will never make it to the land of milk and honey.
Sincerely, Hattie Smith

17. Dear Diary, January 25, 1863
After much debate Charles and I have decide to move with the Children out West. Everyone in town has been discussing the Homestead Act and the opportunities it will provide. After much deliberation I agreed to Charles’ wish to head out West so we too can take 320 acres of beautiful farming land.
We have decided to invite Ma and Pa to dinner and sit down with the girls to tell them about our plans. I know this decision will be hard on them all but in time they too will understand why we must make this move.
We have all heard stories about the challenges other pioneers have faced on the trail, but I hope we fair to be luckier then them. We have the next year to earn the money necessary and gather provisions for the long journey. Until then I will try to focus on all the good fortune this move can bring our family.
Sincerely, Caroline Ingalls

18. Works Cited Wikipedia http://www.wikipedia.org/ Google Images
Why Pioneers Went West
The Oregon Trail
Think Quest
Roots Web