First Wagon Train to California

On November 4, 1841, the first wagon train arrived in California. It had started out on the Oregon Trail, but some of the people got to a point on the trail and decided to veer south, heading to California instead of Oregon. This would set a precedent that would be followed many times in the years to come. The trail had been established by members of the Emigrant Societies. Three parties of adventurers had recorded a passable wagon trail over two large obstacles, the Great Salt Lake Desert in Utah and the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California. The 2,000-mile journey could be made in a single summer and fall if they averaged about 15 miles a day.

This first party had assembled at Sapling Grove, near Westport, Missouri, in May of 1841, headed for Oregon. About 60 people would eventually decide to take the southern route into California instead of traveling north into Oregon. They wanted to cross the Sierra Mountains into California and arrive at Sutter's Fort which would later become  Sacramento. The way became so hazardous, some abandoned California and decided to go the easier Oregon route after all. 

Unexpected events altered their intended route to California, and they ended up abandoning their wagons near Big Spring, Nevada, and using their pack animals. After more difficulties, the smaller group ended up following the same trail Jedediah Smith had taken in1827. On the way, they had to kill and eat many of their animals to keep from starving. All of the party made it, but it was a severely rough trip. They arrived in California and stopped at a ranch owned by John Marsh. Some of the men in the party would go on to become important figures in Californian history.

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