Westward Expansion Trails

Why Go West Settlers following these 'Westward ways' were spurred by various motives Escape religious persecution Seeking gold Various land acts Settling newly claimed lands

National Trails System The Act created a series of National trails "to promote the preservation of, public access to, travel within, and enjoyment and appreciation of the open-air, outdoor areas and historic resources of the Nation." authorized three types of trails: National Scenic Trails National Recreation Trails connecting-and-side trails

Two Major Wagon Networks Missouri Emigrant Trails the Oregon, Mormon, and California Trails Santa Fe de Nuevo México Southern Trails the Santa Fe Trail, the Southern Emigrant Trail, and the Old Spanish Trail.

Oregon Trail 2,200-mile, historic east–west, large-wheeled wagon route connected the Missouri River to valleys in Oregon

1811 to 1840-passable on foot or by horseback By 1836-wagon trail had been cleared to Fort Hall, Idaho

Stops along the Trail Independence, Missouri Missouri River flows into the Mississippi trading post By the 1840's, it was the most popular "jumping off" point for pioneers to stock their wagons with supplies before heading out to Oregon or California

Courthouse and Jailhouse Rock Platte River valley Courthouse Rock and its smaller companion, Jailhouse Rock, were among the first landmarks seen by pioneers heading west

Chimney Rock twelve miles west of Courthouse and Jailhouse Rock Chimney Rock was one of the most picturesque landmarks along the Oregon Trail. signaled the end of the prairies as the trail became more steep and rugged heading west towards the Rocky Mountains.

Fort Laramie Fort William in 1834 where the North Platte and Laramie rivers meet protect and supply emigrant wagon trains

Independence Rock Named for a fur trader's Fourth of July celebration in 1830 giant piece of granite is 1,900 feet long, 700 feet wide, and 128 feet high. "Great Register of the Desert", more than 5,000 names of early emigrant were carved on this boulder

Fort Bridger Jim Bridger began this fort as a trading post in 1842 Soda Springs Natural bubbling pools of carbonated water used the pools of water for medicinal and bathing purposes

Fort Hall Established by Nathaniel Jarvis Wyeth in 1834 along the Snake River usually abandoned their wagons at the fort and continued on foot with their animals Fort Boise established in 1834 supply point along the Oregon Trail until 1854

Founded in 1836 by Dr. Marcus Whitman Whitman Mission Founded in 1836 by Dr. Marcus Whitman The Dalles emigrants floated down the Columbia River in rafts through the stony river gorge. Oregon City Founded in 1842 near where the Willamette River flows into the Columbia River first territorial capital of Oregon Today, the city is a suburb of Portland, Oregon.

Mormon Trail 1,300-mile route that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints traveled from 1846 to 1868

The Mormon pioneer run began in 1846 Brigham Young follows much of the same route as the Oregon Trail and the California Trail The Mormon pioneer run began in 1846 Brigham Young President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from 1847 until his death in 1877 founded Salt Lake City served as the first governor of the Utah Territory

California Trail 2,000 miles across the western half of the US from Missouri River towns to what is now the state of California

Throughout the 1840's settlers would develop short cuts carried over 250,000 gold-seekers and farmers to the gold fields and rich farmlands of the Golden State during the 1840s and 1850s Throughout the 1840's settlers would develop short cuts Hastings Route would save the pioneers 350-400 miles on easy terrain This "new" route would spell the death of many of those in the infamous Donner Party

Donner Party April 16, 1846, nine covered wagons left Springfield, Illinois on the 2500 mile journey to California group included 32 men, women and children The Emigrants’ Guide to Oregon and California, by Landsford W. Hastings Never been tested others would join the group until its size numbered 87 http://www.history.com/topics/donner-party

Santa Fe Trail connected Franklin, Missouri with Santa Fe, New Mexico Pioneered in 1821 by William Becknell The route crossed Comancheria the territory of the Comanche

Southern Emigrant Trail also known as the Gila Trail, the Kearny Trail, and the Butterfield Stage Trail followed the Santa Fe Trail to California

Old Spanish Trail 1,200 miles long, the trail ran through areas of high mountains, arid deserts, and deep canyons connected Santa Fe, New Mexico with Los Angeles, California and southern California

Chisholm Trail drive cattle overland, from ranches in Texas to Kansas railheads trail marked by Jesse Chisholm

Bozeman Trail overland route connecting the gold rush territory of Montana to the Oregon Trail. important period was from 1863-1868

John Bozeman and John Jacobs scouted for a direct route from Virginia City, Montana to central Wyoming Bozeman led the first group of about 2,000 settlers on the trail in 1864