The+Oregon+Trail

The Oregon Trail
The 2,000 mile Oregon Trail helped travelers get from Liberty, Missouri to Oregon City, Oregon. This trip usually took six months and started in early spring. The path was mainly old native paths connected by fur trappers. Its first large recorded use was by Dr. Whitman and a group of settlers. The largest group was led by Jesse Applegate, with 3,000 people and 5,000 oxen, cows and goats. The long trip was rough and many walked the majority of the route. They encountered many rivers which the wagons could float over (if you count tipping over and sinking almost all of the time of the time floating). But surprisingly enough, the biggest threat wasn’t a real one. The people expected to be attacked by savage Natives, but instead Native Americans guided and helped the settlers. In fact, most settlers were lost in the rivers, slipping down snow-covered Rockies, freezing to death, trampled in the thunder-filled plains where horses went wild, by food shortages, disease or being run over by wagons. Even with all those losses, most were able to get over the adversities and endure the rest of the trail. Once the pioneers got to Oregon country, they were relieved. It was finally time to rejoice in their new lands.

By Erik