The Oregon Trail
The Oregon Trail was a long path that started in Missouri and went over 2,000 miles west, al the way to Oregon. Pioneers traveled along the Oregon Trail in wagon trains with their horses, oxen, and a few things that were important to them. In 1841, the first group of pioneers started traveling along the Oregon Trail. There were only 70 people traveling in this first wagon train. In 1843, a HUGE group of people left Missouri to travel along the trail. There were 1,000 people in this group. The Oregon Trail was very dangerous. There were some very friendly Native American tribes and the pioneers would trade with them for food or supplies. However, there were other tribes who were dangerous. There were also many dangerous animals on the trail. Many pioneers also got very sick on the trail from eating bad food, drinking bad water, walking in the hot sun all day, or not having enough water to drink. Many of the people traveled this far so that they could start their own farms and have their own house and land in the west for free. Along the way there were many little towns and many forts that people could stop at and rest, buy supplies, or trade with other people. |