The Oregon Trail Begins

On May 22, 1843, the first line of covered wagons pulled out of Independence, Missouri, headed for Oregon. About 900 people were willing to make the 2,200 mile trek across rugged, dangerous terrain. They followed foot trails set by fur trappers, and some of the forts along the way were first established for the fur trade.

Scotts Bluff, Nebraska, on the Oregon Trail

This group, as well as those who followed, would wait in Independence for the prairie grass to green up enough to support the livestock. There had been earlier trains that didn't go all the way to Oregon but ended in other locations more to the east, so the conditions ahead weren't totally unknown. Ever since Lewis and Clark explored the territory to the Pacific Ocean, the western lands had held promise. From 1846-1869, about 400,000 emigrants would attempt the journey.

Settlers to both Oregon and California used the first half of the trail, and then the California trail would fork off and go its separate way. After the first transcontinental railroad was up and running, travel on the trail began to decline. However, the trail left behind tales of danger, adventure, perseverance, and undaunted spirits that help form the country.

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