Traveling the Oregon Trail Oregon or Bust: Traveling the Oregon Trail
Joint Ownership 4 Owners: Spain, US, GB, Russia Britain claims due to fur trade 1846: fewer than 1000 US claims due to L&C exploration and fur trade 1840s: Missionaries settle valleys by Colombian River “Oregon Fever”
Thanks, Polk! 1844 Campaign: “54’40 or fight!” Won the election, decided to peacefully split the territory with GB (TX takes attention) 1846: split along the 49th parallel; continued from Louisiana 1818 WA, OR, ID gained 49th Parallel James K. Polk
Trails Established Oregon City, Oregon Independence, Missouri Idaho Wyoming Nebraska Kansas Independence, Missouri
Oregon Trail Starts Originally mapped out by trailblazers, pioneers, and fur trappers 2,200 miles long Horses first, then oxen and wagons as populations grew “Jumping off” points-stations you dropped your belongings off at Longest overland trail via land Conestoga Wagons: made of wood, mobile home, no breaks, upwards $1,000
Conestoga Wagons