Westward Expansion

Traveling Through Missouri Preparing for a long overland journey was a big job. Travelers needed basic food items such as flour, butter, sugar, salt, yeast, bacon, tea, and coffee. They needed enough supplies for a six- month journey.

Traveling Through Missouri Settlers traveled in wagons drawn by four to six horses or oxen. They often joined with others to form a wagon train. These trains could include up to 100 wagons. They traveled together for safety.

Traveling Through Missouri On a normal day, travelers would wake up at 4:00 a.m. The wagon train would journey until 4:00 p.m. Then the settlers made camp and cooked dinner. They also did chores, cared for their animals, and sang or played games until it was time to sleep.

Hardships on the Trail The travelers faced many dangers and hardships. People brought along animals to stock their new farms or ranches. It was hard to control these herds. Many travelers suffered from injuries or disease. The weather could change suddenly. The travelers feared attacks by Native Americans.hardships

Jumping-Off Points Missouri soon became the “jumping-off place” for people going to the West. Our state was easy to reach because of its location on the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. So many people stopped here that Missouri became known as the “Gateway to the West.” Easterners would take a steamboat on the Missouri River as far west as Franklin or Independence.

Jumping-Off Points Pioneers would prepare for the overland part of the journey in a covered wagon. They bought their supplies in Franklin and Independence. In the trail towns, experienced wagon leaders made a living taking settlers west.

Westward Trails The Santa Fe Trail was an 800-mile trail from Independence, Missouri to Santa Fe, in what is now New Mexico. Traders had used this route since 1821 to trade with Mexico. Travelers on the Oregon Trail and some of the California Trail also set off from Independence.

hardship A danger or difficulty people endure in the pursuit of a goal. Back to text

The Gateway Arch St. Louis, Missouri Also known as The Jefferson National Expansion Memorial

Is the Gateway Arch an effective memorial for Westward Expansion? © Mary Ann Melton/Alamy

The Gateway Arch that defines the skyline of St. Louis, Missouri, represents so much more than the city itself. St. Louis was the last major stop on the banks of the Mississippi before many settlers headed west into the frontier during the 19 th century. In fact, 110 years ago today, Lewis and Clark began their monumental expedition into the Louisiana Purchase by departing from the St. Louis area, bidding farewell to the city’s comforts, such as they were then, to blaze a trail of westward expansion. Is the Gateway Arch an effective memorial for Westward Expansion?

The Gateway Arch reflects St. Louis’ role in the Westward Expansion of the United States during the nineteenth century. The park is a memorial to Thomas Jefferson’s role in opening the West, to the pioneers who helped shape its history, and to Dred Scott who sued for his freedom in the Old Courthouse.

Thomas Jefferson’s vision of the spread of freedom and democracy from “sea to shining sea reflects St. Louis’ role as The Gateway to the West.