As a child of the 1980s who went to a progressive, wealthy school district (I was not wealthy), we had the opportunity to utilize and play with some of the first computers tailored for educational use. They were the original Macintosh personal computers, and our elementary school had thirty-five of them.
Each week, a classroom would have the computers brought down on a couple of carts to use for the week, and we would have a week of playing the classic “Oregon Trail” PC video game. Before this experience, I really had no prior knowledge of the difficulties the pioneers faced when trying to travel out West, where the promise of prosperity and freedom were strong sentiments during that time of exploration.
The Oregon Trail played a pivotal role in one of the largest mass migrations in U.S. history, with around 300,000 to 400,000 people journeying along this 2,000-mile route, all heading out West from the years of 1840 to 1860.
Some of the obstacles the emigrants faced were:
- Gunshot wounds
- River crossings and drowning
- Weather
Weather-related dangers included:
- Thunderstorms
- Lethally large hailstones
- Lightning
- Tornadoes
- High winds
- Intense heat
- Dust on the trail, up to two or three inches deep and as fine as flour
- Grass fires (Can you imagine what they might have thought when a wildfire hit the Oregon Trail?)
According to The National Park Service, “Emigrants feared death from a variety of causes along the trail: lack of food or water; Indian attacks; accidents, or rattlesnake bites were a few. However, the number one killer, by a wide margin, was disease. The most dangerous diseases were those spread by poor sanitary conditions and personal contact,”.
The gunshot wounds were typically a result of disagreements among the emigrants, not from the Native Americans. Furthermore, it has been documented that most of the travelers had zero firearm training or experience, and as a direct result, many, many people accidentally shot themselves or others.
An extremely essential fact that must be acknowledged from The National Park Service is that, “American Indians were usually among the least of the emigrants’ problems. They were mostly peaceful and helped the emigrants in a variety of ways. Indians often traded with emigrants.
Native peoples offered fresher, or different foods to vary the emigrant diet, and moccasins to replace worn out boots. The emigrants provided articles of clothing or other trade goods to facilitate the trade. Native people often provided help in other ways. Before white men set up ferries and bridges to cross treacherous rivers, Indians were making ferries out of canoes to take wagons and people across.
Tales of hostile encounters far overshadowed actual incidents, and relations between emigrants and Indians were further complicated by trigger-happy emigrants who shot at Indians for target practice and out of unfounded fear,”. Not as glamorous as the game, huh?
The Oregon Trail was the central route reaching Willamette Valley, Oregon, the Puget Sound in Washington, Utah, and several California destinations.
How did emigrants travel the Oregon Trail?
When most people think of the Oregon Trail, we picture the stereotypical covered wagon being pulled by at least two horses with Ma and Pa up front smiling. But that was not always the case, as we have learned so far. In fact, some rode solo on horseback; others carried their life’s possessions via a handcart. At the same time, a majority of emigrants had wagons drawn by teams of draft animals, yet still, others traveled by animal carts or even the occasional carriage.
To be precise, Wikipedia states that, “The Oregon Trail was a 2,170-mile (3,490 km)[1] east–West, large-wheeled wagon route and emigrant trail in the United States that connected the Missouri River to valleys in Oregon Territory. The eastern part of the Oregon Trail spanned part of what is now the state of Kansas and nearly all of what are now the states of Nebraska and Wyoming. The western half of the trail spanned most of the current states of Idaho and Oregon,”.
Travelers on the Oregon Trail had to be incredibly resourceful and resilient. Preparing for the journey often required careful planning and significant financial investment. Emigrants typically loaded their wagons with essential supplies, including food, clothing, tools, and spare parts for their vehicles. To minimize the loads, personal items were often left behind. The wagons themselves were sturdy yet compact, designed to endure rough terrain and the long distances between resupply points.
The choice of draft animals played a crucial role in the journey’s success. Contrary to popular belief, oxen were more frequently used than horses since they were more resilient to rigorous conditions. Oxen also had an advantage in grazing rather than requiring specific feed, which was often in short supply on the trail.
Communication and maintaining morale were as essential as physical preparation. Emigrants typically formed wagon trains—large groups that provided mutual support and protection. Leadership within these groups was vital, often determined by vote or mutual agreement.
Innovations and scientific advancements during this period also influenced the journey. For instance, the development of new types of durable, weather-resistant wagons and improvements in mapping and guidebooks helped pioneers navigate more safely and efficiently. Emigrant guides, often updated annually, became indispensable resources informing travelers of water sources, potential hazards, and alternate routes.
What type of people went on the Oregon Trail?
The people who traveled the Oregon Trail were settlers, farmers, miners, ranchers, business owners, and their families.
Cultural and societal dynamics on the trail were multifaceted. Issues such as gender roles and racial disparities persisted, but the harsh conditions sometimes led to atypical shifts in usual societal structures. Women often found themselves performing roles typically reserved for men, such as driving the wagons or handling firearms, in addition to their traditional duties. Conversely, enslaved African Americans who made the journey with their owners faced additional layers of hardship and oppression despite being integral to the labor force that drove the migration.
Post-trail life also varied significantly. Upon arrival, emigrants faced the enormous task of building new homes, cultivating land, and establishing communities, often with only the minimal resources they managed to carry with them. Yet the promise of land and opportunity drove many to persevere, contributing richly to the cultural and economic tapestry of the burgeoning American West.
Why is the Oregon Trail important?
Reflecting on these experiences offers invaluable insight into the American spirit of resilience, adaptability, and the quest for a better life. The Oregon Trail remains a testament to the determination and courage of the thousands who braved its challenges, shaping the United States as we know it today.