The Oregon Trail

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How many people came over the Oregon Trail? It's difficult to estimate the numbers due to the nature of the large scale emigration. People on the move, in sometimes large groups, with varying destinations are difficult to count. The emigration lasted over several decades. People were born and people died during the typical five month journey. However, historians estimate between 300,000 and 500,000 people went on the Oregon Trail in an 80 year period.

Why did people go west? For a new beginning: to make a better life for their family. For religious reasons: create new churches and missions. To escape slavery. To claim new land for themselves and the U.S. For adventure: find gold.

Conestoga Wagon

Covered Wagons The main vehicle used to carry the pioneer's belongings was the covered wagon. Sometimes these wagons were called "Prairie Schooners", because they were like boats going over the vast prairies of the west. The wagons were made of wood with iron around the wheels like tires. The covers were made from waterproofed cotton or linen canvas. The typical covered wagon was about 10 feet long and four feet wide. 

Oxen pulling a Conestoga wagon.

Most of the settlers used oxen to pull their wagons Most of the settlers used oxen to pull their wagons. The oxen were slow, but steady. Sometimes mules were used as well. A fully loaded wagon could weigh as much as 2,500 pounds. A lot of the time the pioneers walked alongside the wagons. Traveling wasn't too bad with the wagons on the flat terrain of the prairies, but once the settlers reached the Rocky Mountains, getting the wagons up and down steep trails was very difficult. 

What kind of supplies did the pioneers take on their trip? A variety of guidebooks, newspaper articles, and helpful tips in letters from friends or family who had already made the trip provided different lists about what and how much was essential to survive the five-month journey. The critical advice was to keep things as light as possible, and to take easily preserved staple foods. Supplies in each wagon generally had to be kept below 2,000 pounds total weight, and as the journey progressed and draft animals grew tired, many pioneers had to discard excess food and baggage.

Supplies The pioneers were able to bring very little with them. When they left their homes in the east, they had to leave most of their belongings. The covered wagon was mostly filled with food. It took over a 1,000 pounds of food to feed a family of four on the trip out west. They took preserved foods such as hard tack, coffee, bacon, rice, beans, and flour. They also took a few basic cooking utensils such as a coffee pot, some buckets, and an iron skillet.  The pioneers didn't have room for a lot of fancy items. They only had room to pack two or three sets of tough clothing. They packed candles for lighting and a rifle to hunt with along the way. Other items included tents, bedding, and basic tools such as an axe and a shovel. 

If you had to leave your home but could only bring a few things, what items would you take with you?

Supplies Items taken by nearly all wagon parties included: - flour, hard tack or crackers, bacon, sugar, coffee and tea, beans, rice, dried fruit, salt, pepper, and saleratus (used for baking soda). Some also took whiskey or brandy, and medicines. Minimal cooking utensils included a cast iron skillet or spider, Dutch oven, reflector oven, coffee pot or tea kettle, and tin plates, cups, and knives, forks, spoons, matches, and crocks, canteens, buckets or water bags for liquids. A rifle, pistols, powder, lead, and shot were recommended for hunting game along the way, and for self-defense. Candles were used for lighting, as they were far less expensive and lighter than transporting oil, and several pounds of soap was included. Only two or three sets of practical, sturdy, and warm clothing of wool and linen had to last the wear and tear of the journey, and a small sewing kit for repairs was important. Basic tools such as a shovel, ax or hatchet, and tools to repair wagon equipment were essential. Bedding and tents completed the list of necessities. For most families, 1,600-1,800 pounds of their supplies would be food, leaving little space for other items. Although some people tried to include furniture, books, and treasured belongings, these were soon discarded. According to many accounts, the trail was littered with cast off trunks, bureaus, beds, clothing, excess food, and even cast iron stoves. Though prices and availability of goods varied from year to year, for most emigrants it cost a minimum of $600 to $800 to assemble a basic outfit of wagon, oxen, and supplies.

Children on the trail Many children made the five month trek west with their families. It's estimated that 40,000 of the emigrants were children, one of every five. Many children were hesitant to go. They were sad to leave home, and worried they would never see or hear from their friends again. Some had to leave grandparents and cousins. They also had to leave behind most of their worldly possessions. Wagons could hold food and supplies for the trip, but there was little space for toys, books, and clothes. The trip took about five or six months, and was about 2000 miles long. Most of the kids walked. People only rode in the wagons when sick, or tired, or when the weather was bad. The wagons bounced and jostled and were not comfortable. Also, the extra weight of people made it hard on the ox teams pulling the heavy wagons.

Chores Children had regular chores while on the trail. Many kids herded animals and milked cows. Both boys and girls sometimes drove the ox teams that pulled their wagons. Kids also helped with cooking and washing dishes, and watched after younger children. An important job was fetching water, and gathering firewood and "buffalo chips," dried buffalo manure used for campfires when no wood could be found.

Playtime and School There was time for playing and exploring, and visiting with friends. At night, there was singing and dancing around the campfire. They played games such as London Bridge, run sheep run, leap frog, button-button, prisoner's base, Flying Dutchman, anti-I-over, and pom-pom-pullaway. Picking flowers and playing with animals were other typical ways kids had fun. Most kids were so busy with chores and travel that school was set aside during the journey. Some wrote letters and kept diaries, and many read from the family Bible to improve their reading skills. They learned a lot from their adventures on the trail, but formal schooling waited until they were settled in Oregon.

Native Americans: Not really a threat! Kids were fascinated with Indians, and liked to pretend-play about being Indians. When pioneer wagon trains met Indians along the trail, they usually did some trading for food and clothes, or got directions for traveling and crossing rivers. Sometimes, Indians became angry with pioneers crossing their land, and there was fighting. Many pioneer kids were scared of Indians, and worried about meeting them while traveling. They were afraid of being kidnapped or hurt. Most of the time the kids found out the Indians were only interested in trading or visiting, and were very friendly.

Dangers Traveling the Oregon Trail in the 1800s was a dangerous journey. However, the danger wasn't from Native Americans as you might think. As a matter of fact, many records show that Native Americans helped many of the travelers along the way. The real danger was from a disease called cholera that killed many settlers. Other dangers included bad weather and accidents while trying to move their heavy wagons over the mountains. 

How many pioneers died making the trip? It's estimated perhaps 10% of the people making the trip died en route (about 20,000 - 30,000). Cholera, a bacterial disease that causes severe diarrhea and vomiting, claimed a great many lives. Most victims died from the resulting dehydration within hours of contracting the disease A second leading cause of death was accidents with wagons, firearms, and drowning at river crossings.  

Fun facts The trail began in St. Louis Most people walked. They had to be a baby or elderly to ride in a wagon. Sometimes girls had exceptions too. People moved for good farmland. The land was very  new compared to the east land. The trip brought many animals. Oxen pulled the wagons. The Oregon trail was a pathway to the west. The very hard journey began around 1843 and it lasted for fifteen years and over 50,000 pioneers went on the trail. If you got caught with the flu or cold, there was no hope for you. You built your own grave. Many times, pioneers would have to  pay 100 dollars for a glass of water when they were dying of dehydration. The Oregon trail lasted for EIGHT decades. The Oregon trail was roughly about 2,000 Miles long.