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OCTA > 2015 Emigrant Trails Hall of Fame Selectees

Emigrant Trails Category: 2015 Emigrant Trails Hall of Fame Selectees

Howard Driggs

Howard Driggs

Gregory Franzwa

Gregory Franzwa

William Henry Jackson

William Henry Jackson

Merrill Mattes

Merrill Mattes

Ezra Manning Meeker

Ezra Meeker

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Oregon-California Trails Association

2 days ago

A breakfast fit for those walking to Oregon or California - bread, coffee and bacon!What's your favorite road trip food? A burger from a fast food joint? Maybe a homestyle meal at a fast casual restaurant? Emigrants on the trails west didn't have the luxury of restaurants along the way. They would eat what they brought along from home. Most emigrants' diets consisted of copious amounts of bread, coffee and bacon, usually cooked over a buffalo chip fire. #TrailTuesdayImage- A woman in pioneer dress holds a platter of food. NPS image. ... See MoreSee Less

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Oregon-California Trails Association

3 days ago

Renowned National Park Service trails historian and author Merrill J. Mattes was a co-founder of OCTA. He was inducted into the OCTA Emigrant Trails Hall of Fame in 2015. https://octa-trails.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/1108_Merrill-Mattes.pdfThe Merrill J. Mattes Collection of trails-related materials is available on OCTA's Journal website.https://www.octa-journals.org/category/merrill-mattes-collection"The overwhelming reality of the human floodtide across the continent did not impress itself upon me until I first saw Scotts Bluff, a famous and majestic landmark, and the deep troughs of the century-old wagon road that traversed its famous V-shaped gap known today as Mitchell Pass." -Merrill Mattes #MonumentMondayImage- Mitchell Pass from the east side of Scotts Bluff National Monument. NPS/Eric Grunwald ... See MoreSee Less

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Oregon-California Trails Association

5 days ago

Speaking of the fear of cholera, this 1845 medical textbook speculates that the cause(s) of cholera could be linked to "exposure to the chill of damp or cold air after unusual heat," and that "drinking cold water when the body is heated has occasionally produced an attack" of cholera. If overland trail travelers had known the true cause, this dreaded and deadly illness could have been prevented for many.Did you know that this week is National Public Health Week?! We have heard a lot about #PublicHealth over the last year, but today we wanted to take you back to the 1840s!"The Cyclopedia of Practical Medicine" was a common medical reference book in the 1840s. Texts like this would likely have been available to Dr. Whitman during his medical training and practice. Taking a close look at some of the content of this medical reference book can illustrate how far medicine has come since the 1830s and 1840s. For example, this textbook speculates that the cause(s) of cholera could be linked to "exposure to the chill of damp or cold air after unusual heat," and that "drinking cold water when the body is heated has occasionally produced an attack" of cholera. Thanks to developments in science and medicine we know that cholera is caused by ingesting a particular bacterium. What health and science developments are you thankful for?#WhitmanMission #PublicHealth #FindYourPark #EncuentraTuParque ... See MoreSee Less

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Oregon-California Trails Association

6 days ago

New Lone Elm Campground Video! - E-News for Friday, April 9, 2021 - https://mailchi.mp/indepmo/e-news-board-meeting-and-other-important-updates-3098658 ... See MoreSee Less

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Oregon-California Trails Association

6 days ago

Lone Elm was the first and busiest campground on the Independence Route of the Oregon, Santa Fe, and California Trails. Learn more by watching OCTA's Youtube video linked here. Subscribe to OCTA's Youtube channel to see a new video every Friday showcasing different stories and places on the trails. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCVc0MGBXwI&t=1s ... See MoreSee Less

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The Oregon-California Trails Association (a non-profit, 501 (C) (3) association) is the nation’s largest and most influential organization dedicated to the p...

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Oregon-California Trails Association

7 days ago

"These poor 'dumb and driven cattle' were not alone in mourning the loss of this good, faithful creature." A sad incident in July 1849 along the Sweetwater River.Rivers were the highways across the west. As roads were being developed for the western pioneers it made sense to follow the waterways because of availability of water and grass, and as a natural feature to use as a guide. During the month of April we'll highlight each of the main waterways used to guide the emigrants along the California Trail.Once the emigrants left the North Platte River, they struck across a watershed divide in what is now central Wyoming to reach the Sweetwater River. The Sweetwater flows from the Continental Divide near South Pass to the North Platte River (in present-day Pathfinder Reservoir). A vivid story from July 3, 1849 was recorded in the Sweetwater Valley by A.J. McCall: "The road to-day was smooth, but quite hilly, so that we only made about fifteen miles, and encamped on the Sweetwater again. The cattle were turned out on a beautiful green meadow in a bend of the river, where there was very fine grazing. Just before the sun went down as I was watching the ruminating herd, I saw a great commotion among them and heard a mournful looing. I hurried ... to ascertain the cause. I found ... [the] ox, "Charlie," lying ... in the agonies of death [surrounded by] his associates, that for a thousand miles had toiled by his side, over mountain, desert and plain, [and] had gathered around him, manifesting deep sympathy, and when they saw him breathe his last breath, gave utterance to a sad wail. These poor 'dumb and driven cattle' were not alone in mourning the loss of this good, faithful creature. His death was undoubtedly caused by an injury received at the Platt Ferry. No more fitting resting place for his old bones could have been found than that sweet meadow on the bank of this murmuring stream in the heart of the 'Old Rockies.' McCall's diary can be viewed at https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.31158005904320&view=1up&seq=10. You can read about crossings of the Sweetwater River on the Wyoming State Historical Society webpage https://www.wyohistory.org/encyclopedia/three-crossingshttps://www.wyohistory.org/encyclopedia/sixth-crossing-sweetwater https://www.wyohistory.org/encyclopedia/ninth-and-last-crossing-sweetwater.The sketch of the Sweetwater River is by James Wilkins, called "The Narrows". It is from his book and diary from 1849, An Artist on the Overland Trail. ... See MoreSee Less

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Oregon-California Trails Association

1 week ago

If you are out and about near Gering, Nebraska, stop in the visitor center at Scotts Bluff National Monument and see the new exhibits.Have you seen the new exhibits in the Scotts Bluff National Monument visitor center yet? If not, come and check out the new, modern exhibits. These new exhibits do a great job of telling the story of this major landmark on the plains of Nebraska and the people who traveled in its shadow. Who knows, you might even see a stoic looking park ranger standing next to one of the exhibits, like in this #ThrowbackThursday photo from 1963. #MidwestNPS #FindYourPark Image- A black and white photo of a park ranger standing next to an exhibit titled "A Fantastic Fossil Record." NPS/Paul Christian. ... See MoreSee Less

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Oregon-California Trails Association

1 week ago

"Afraid of the cholera." Raw emotion from Lewis Beers, writing in his overland diary in 1852.This week’s #folafootprints follows the diary of Lewis Beers during his journey to California. June 5th - At six o'clock again on the move. Roads good yet. Got within twelve miles of the fort (Fort Laramie), stopped and baited our teams and started again. Quite anxious to get there, as Smith and Eaton are no better. Smith will have all the water he can drink all the time, and it is no small quantity that he drinks, which must be very bad, but we cannot make him believe it to be so. The water has a tendency to give the diarrhea in this section to those that are well. We want to get to the fort to get a doctor for them and to lie by till they get better, which I hope they soon will, when they get a doctor and some rest. Got to the Laramie River, two miles this side of the fort, and encamped for the night. While we were pitching our tents we had a most tremendous hail-storm, the hardest I have seen on the route. Some of our tents were blown down and I had my fingers well battered up trying to hold up ours, which was on the point of being blown away several times. But we kept it to its place. Tonight Albert Burnhart rode to the fort to get a doctor to come over and see the sick, but he could not succeed, although he offered him a hundred dollars. He got some letters for us, and they were good here in the desert. We are glad to hear from old Ohio and that our families and friends are well.Sunday, June 6th - This is a day of sorrow and gloom to our little company. This morning we took Mr. Smith and Eaton to the hospital and left them in the surgeon's care, where all will be done for them that could be done at home. They are very sick and look bad - may not live, but hope that they may soon get better. Drove about two miles beyond the fort to find grass and encamped near the Platte River, twelve o'clock, there was one of the men just come from the fort and bring the melancholy news that Smith breathed his last a few minutes before twelve. His wife has been with him all the time to watch over him In his sickness and she has done all that a wife could do for a husband under the circumstances in which they were placed. Poor woman, how my heart bleeds for her. Truly she is placed in very trying circumstances, and if anyone needed the consolation of religion to sustain them in their affliction it is she, called upon to lose her husband in the wilderness. But still there is no other place on the route that the same care can be given as here. A man that is placed here in the fort will have all the care that he would in the States, but it came too late for poor Smith. He has gone to that land from which no traveler has yet returned to give an account of the land. Went down this afternoon to attend the burial of Mr. Smith. The surgeon says the disease is the cholera and that Eaton cannot live. Waited some time for Smith's friends to come and lay him out, but not one came near him. Afraid of the cholera. Myself with the assistance of the ass't surgeon laid him out and placed him in the coffin. I then called his wife and she came and took a last lingering look at all that remained of her dear husband, to bathe his checks with her tears, kiss his cold forehead and bid him farewell until the last trumpet shall sound. She then thanked us for our kindness and left the room and I nailed the lid down and we carried him to the dead house outside of the fort. The chaplain then came and we followed or rather carried the body to the graveyard where a short service was said and then placed the coffin in the grave and returned to camp and heard that Eaton was dead. This is a day that will long be remembered by us.Death this day has taken from our number and who the next victim time will determine. This is a loud call to us to be also ready for in such an hour as you think not the Son of Man cometh. Mr. Parmer is unwell and we all feel quite sad and gloomy.Albert Stevenson was very much scared today and came nigh killing himself by taking medicine. He took so much opium that it thru him into convulsions. He came very near dying. When he began to come to himself when he could talk but did not know what he said he was talking all the time about Lizzy Jane or rather to her, which at any other time would have been laughable and I could not help it sometimes, as it was he took the opium as a preventative and not a cure for he was not sick at all. Mr. Hoff is getting better. Parkhurst is complaining with a pain in his back and his hips today. He thinks he is going to be sick. I hope not. Fort Laramie is situated on the Laramie River about 3 miles from its mouth where it enters the Platte. The fort is built on three sides of a square of 2 or 3 acres. The buildings are of sun burnt brick and some of them are going to decay and falling down. There are a few buildings the Gov't has a large store of provisions and groceries in and emigrants can buy what they must have if they have money enough. There is a bakery belonging to the fort and one a short distance from the fort owned by an individual. The easterners or the emigrants that passed by this way which is not a few as the road is lined with them. The cholera is making its appearance among the other trains and more sick left at the fort. This fort like the one that we passed before has no fortifications but resembles a village. There are several pieces of artillery in the fort or village and soldiers enough to repel any attack from the Indians and there is no one else to molest them. I saw three or four females in the fort, perhaps officer's wives or mistresses. There is a cornfield and a garden of several acres back of the fort. The things look good in them.Source: From the diary of Lewis Beers,1852 Photo: II-02(441) Bull Train in Echo Canyon, Utah, c 1866 ... See MoreSee Less

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Oregon-California Trails Association

1 week ago

Please share with any K-12 teacher who may be interested in a Teacher on the Public Lands internship this summer with The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center in Oregon.The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center is seeking applicants for its summer Teacher on the Public Lands internship! 🧑‍🏫📓🏞 This internship is open to any K-12 teacher who is interested in assisting center staff with creating new and inspiring outreach and educational programming for the next generation of public land stewards. “Our nation has a rich history, and telling our story can be challenging at times,” said Shane DeForest, acting BLM Vale District Manager. “Embedding a teaching professional with our interpretive staff will help us to tell these stories that much more effectively.” Compensation consists of a $2,200 educational stipend for completing 160 hours of service between May and August 2021, plus free tuition for 3 graduate credits through the University of Colorado-Denver. Work will include developing curriculum-based programming focused on Native American perspectives in relation to the Oregon Trail, natural history, and early settlement. The intern will also collaborate with Interpretive Center staff to develop outreach programs and events that engage youth and families in outdoor recreation and foster positive visitor experiences and conservation stewardship of public lands. Applications must be received by May 1, 2021. Photo: Baker County Tourism📥 Apply: https://on.doi.gov/3fw0eNN❓ Questions? Contact Sandra Tennyson: (541) 523-1836 or stennyson@blm.gov📍 How to visit: https://on.doi.gov/2Jbxpqo📲 Learn about the Oregon Trail: https://goo.gl/N8K7wf❄ Snow on the Oregon Trail! bit.ly/3lx4YCV🆕 New wagon covers installed: https://bit.ly/30zL4zg🐴 Oregon Trail volunteer, horse recognized: https://bit.ly/31dxzoN⚒ Oregon Trail blacksmith shop: http://ow.ly/vqON50xtRFJ💥 Firing a flintlock rifle: https://goo.gl/9Bxx63🌐 #360video from wagon camp: https://goo.gl/ETRB5F📸 Photo/video archive: https://goo.gl/3gCL4q#oregontrail #oregon #history #PNW ... See MoreSee Less

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Oregon-California Trails Association

1 week ago

For your Trail Tuesday . . ."Dreams intertwined like branches and roots upon the groundLying forgotten like broken bonesBuried along the trailsIn hidden, unmarked graves." -From "The Endless Journey" by Hugh M. Lewis #TrailTuesdayImage- The graves of unknown pioneers lie in the prairie near Robidoux Pass. NPS image ... See MoreSee Less

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Featured Products

Bruff's Wake: J. Goldsborough Bruff & the California Gold Rush, by H. L James $24.95
The Oregon Trail Revisited, by Gregory M. Franzwa $24.95
In Pursuit of a Dream (DVD) $20.00
Reading, Writing and Riding Along the Oregon-California Trails (An Educational Activity Book), by William E. Hill $8.95

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