Traveling the OREGON TRAIL

Objectives Students will be able to summarize the events in westward expansion, including people’s motivation, their hardships, and Missouri as a jumping off point to the west.

Oregon Territory Made up of what is now: A. Oregon B. Washington C. Idaho D. Parts of Montana E. Parts of Wyoming

Reasons for Heading West free land economic opportunities fur trade adventure searching for gold religious freedom excellent farmland Washing gold - 1916 http://loc.gov/pictures/resource/ppmsc.02029/

Covered Wagon Waterproof canvas top Wheels smaller in the front to make sharp turns easier Pulled by oxen (stronger than mules or horses) Prairie Schooner – looked like boats sailing across the green waves of grass Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, DC 20540 USA http://hdl.loc.gov/

Wagon Trains Groups of covered wagons headed west together (sometimes 100+ wagons and over 1000 people) Leader was selected to make major decisions Council met to discuss and report on different problems that might occur during the trip

Trail Guides Fur trappers and traders who had made the trip before Knew the best ways to travel the trails Jim Bridger http://loc.gov/pictures/

Things to take on the Trail Flour & yeast Water Seeds Candles Household utilities Guns Ammunition Favorite dishes Family pictures Children’s favorite toys Clothing Notions Tools blankets

“Jumping Off” Refers to the location where preparations for the journey to Oregon Country began Many travelers would join a “wagon train” The trails west started in these cities in Missouri: Independence Westport Landing (now part of Kansas City) St. Joseph

Our home town was a “Jumping Off Point” Oregon Trail 1852-1906 by Ezra Meeker. Fourth Edition 1907

When was the best time to travel? If you left too early. . . Spring rains might cause the trail to become to muddy and wagon wheels would likely get stuck Grass wouldn’t be tall enough for the oxen and cattle to eat If you left too late. . . Crossing the mountains in early winter snowstorms was difficult and dangerous Perfect time: After the spring rains when the sun was shining and grass was growing tall

Crossing Rivers Large flat boats called scows, and seal wagons made with wood, tar, and candle wax mixed with ashes, would carry wagons across rivers Horses, cows, and oxen had to swim Indian rafts were sometimes available

Dangers & Difficulties Mud (wagon wheels stuck) Ground too dry (dust) Sicknesses Children and adults injured or killed when they accidentally fall under a moving wagon Dangerous mountain passages Unfriendly, hostile Indians (steal cattle & horses)

The Chores of Children Milk cows Get water from river Watch cattle Help cook Wash dishes Help skin & prepare buffalo or deer Collect wood or buffalo chips Shake out blankets & quilts Hang beef jerky to dry http://loc.gov/pictures/item/200568653

Animals on the Trail Buffalo Prairie dogs Rattlesnakes Owls Wolves Coyotes Jackrabbits Wild turkeys Sage hens Lizards antelope

How did they get more supplies along the trails? Trading at Forts with other pioneers or Indians Ft. Laramie (40 days to reach it) Ft. Bridger (up to 30 more days) Ft. Hall The Pony Express stables at Ft. Bridger Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, DC 20540 USA http://hdl.loc.gov/

Wagons Over Mountains Oxen Tie one end of a rope to the back of the wagon, the other end of the rope to a tree, and PULL! http://photoswest.org/cgi-bin/imager?10011929+X-11929

Landmarks Used for Direction Chimney Rock (Nebraska) Independence Rock (Wyoming) Soda Springs Steamboat Springs Devil’s Backbone Continental Divide (wagons would cross at South Pass, halfway to Oregon!)

What do you have in common with the early settlers? Why early settlers traveled west: Free land Economic Opportunities Fur trade Adventure To find gold Religious Freedom Excellent farmland Why do you live in Independence, Missouri? . . .to be close to your family? . . .your parents have good jobs here? . . .cheaper or better housing? . . .hopes and dreams? What is YOUR story?

Bibliography The Oregon Trail http://www.isu.edu/~trinmich/Oregontrail.html Oregon Trail http://www.42explore2.com/oregon.html http://www.americanwest.com/trails/pages/oretrail.htm Tracy Hendrickson owensville.k12.mo.us