Oregon Trail

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U.S._Territorial_Acquisitions

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Oregoncountry

Oregon Trail
File:Oregontrail 1900.png The route of the Oregon Trail shown in red
Location	United States
Built	1830s
U.S. National Register of Historic Places

The Oregon Trail was a historic east-to-west, large-wheeled wagon route and emigrant trail in the United States that connected the Missouri River to valleys in Oregon. The trail was laid by fur traders and trappers from about 1811 to 1840, and was used by settlers migrating to the western United States from the early 1840s until the 1860s. The Oregon Trail and its many offshoots were used by about 400,000 settlers, farmers, miners, ranchers, and business owners and their families.

History

The Oregon Trail was first traveled by fur traders and trappers who used it to transport their goods. The trail was later used by settlers who were part of the Westward Expansion of the United States. The trail began in Independence, Missouri, and passed through present-day Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, Idaho, and Oregon.

Route

The Oregon Trail spanned approximately 2,170 miles (3,490 km) from the Missouri River to the valleys in Oregon. The trail followed the Platte River through Nebraska, crossed the Rocky Mountains via the South Pass in Wyoming, and continued through the Snake River Plain in Idaho before reaching the Columbia River in Oregon.

Landmarks

Several key landmarks were used by travelers to navigate the Oregon Trail, including:

• Chimney Rock
• Scotts Bluff
• Fort Laramie
• Independence Rock
• Fort Hall
• Fort Boise
• The Dalles

Challenges

Travelers on the Oregon Trail faced numerous challenges, including difficult terrain, disease, and the threat of attacks. Cholera was a common and deadly disease that affected many travelers. The journey typically took four to six months to complete, and required careful planning and preparation.

Legacy

The Oregon Trail played a significant role in the expansion of the United States and the settlement of the western territories. Today, the trail is commemorated by numerous historical sites, museums, and monuments. Portions of the trail have been preserved and can be visited by modern travelers.

Related Pages

• California Trail
• Mormon Trail
• Santa Fe Trail
• Lewis and Clark Expedition
• Westward Expansion of the United States

See Also

• National Historic Trails
• Pioneer
• Manifest Destiny