Western Pioneers Coloring Book, illustrated by Peter F. Copeland

We're in the midst of our annual year-end appeal. Members will soon be receiving letters from President Steve Allison asking them to support our wide variety of programs and causes. We hope that you'll consider a gift on this Giving Tuesday. The link to our online donation portal is in the comments. Thank you for your support of the Oregon-California Trails Association! ... See MoreSee Less

21 hours ago

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Oregon-California Trails Association - Preserving and protecting the history and land of the American journey and exploration westward.

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Save the date for the Northwest Chapter of the Oregon California Trails Association Annual Meeting. More information on this and other Chapter events will be updated here on the Facebook Page. Be sure to follow so you don't miss any exciting events. ... See MoreSee Less

22 hours ago

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Frederick Lander, renowned as the Builder of the Overland Wagon Road, a Civil War General, Military Hero, Explorer, and Surveyor of the Pacific Railroad, was a figure of immense historical significance. Additionally, he was married to the most famous actress of his time. His legacy endures through a city and mountain in Wyoming bearing his name, and he is celebrated as the architect of the Lander Road.The New York Times obituary of March 3, 1862, lamented his passing, stating that the country had lost one of its finest men and soldiers. The tears of his command and the nation accompanied him to the grave.In an enlightening session with Clint Gilchrist, Executive Director of the Museum of the Mountain Man, we delve into the life of this national figure. Tragically lost early in the Civil War, Lander's untimely death curtailed a promising career that some speculate could have led him to the presidency of the United States. ... See MoreSee Less

1 day ago

Bravest of the Brave - Frederick Lander

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Frederick Lander, renowned as the Builder of the Overland Wagon Road, a Civil War General, Military Hero, Explorer, and Surveyor of the Pacific Railroad, was...

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2 days ago

Chimney Rock, Nebraska ... See MoreSee Less

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Ever wonder about animals on the trail?John Hawkins Clark, 1852 emigration to California:Good horses, good mules and good oxen are everything on a journey like this. Job in his day [a reference Job 39:19-25 in the Bible] immortalized the horse and clothed his neck with thunder; but he was silent on the mule, and for what reason I am unable to say. If he has made this journey and had used the mule as a motive power, he would no doubt have done him justice and left to succeeding generations his testimony of the mule's virtues. For our part we love the patient and hardy animal; their ears do not seem half so long as they did at the commencement of this journey. In every way they appear more endurable; if one gets stubborn and kicks our hats off once in a while we let him kick, but are very careful to stop in his way no longer than we can get out of it. Oxen are very reliable, patient and enduring. Thousands of them have made the entire trip and stood it nobly; but they are more liable to get lame than either the horse or mule. They will drink the poisonous water at every opportunity, and many of them are lost in that way; but with good watching they will make the trip. One would think a dog would make the journey very easily, but of the thousands who made the attempt very few succeeded in getting through. Those who had valuable ones let them ride. I know of no dog that has made the entire trip on foot.(NPS Photo of one very good National Trails girl, Molly, for attention and because we would let her ride!) ... See MoreSee Less

2 days ago

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The Idaho chapter of the Oregon-California Trails Association, in partnership with the BLM, has created the Main Oregon Trail Back Country Byway. As Idaho’s 30th officially approved byway, the MOTBCB closely follows the route of the main Oregon Trail from the crossing of the Snake River at Three Island Crossing near Glenns Ferry to Bonneville Point southeast of Boise.Join Chapter President Jerry Eichhorst as he navigates us across this three part series exploring the Byway. For more information visit idahoocta.org https://youtu.be/kb_3NIY6gJA ... See MoreSee Less

5 days ago

Main Oregon Trail Back Country Byway Part 1

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The Idaho chapter of the Oregon-California Trails Association, in partnership with the BLM, has created the Main Oregon Trail Back Country Byway. As Idaho’s ...

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6 days ago

Happy Thanksgiving to all OCTA members and overland trail enthusiasts.Happy Thanksgiving! ... See MoreSee Less

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7 days ago

How wonderful! ... See MoreSee Less

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The Nez Perce, who call themselves Nimíipuu (nee-me-poo) which means “The People,” were vital to the success and survival of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. During the westward and homeward segments of the journey, The Corps of Discovery was with at least one member of the tribe a total of 114 days, during which the Nimíipuu provided food, offered guidance and instruction, shared information, and developed strong relationships with the Americans. According to W. Otis Halfmoon, a member of the Nez Perce Tribe and former tribal liaison for the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, they also call themselves Tsoopnitpeloo, meaning “The Walking-Out People,” – people from the mountains who walk to the plains to hunt buffalo. So how did these people become known as the Nez Perce? In a video, recorded in 2001, Mr. Halfmoon explains the Nez Perce name was the result of a misunderstanding of Plains Sign Language. He shared, “Our sign was the right finger out, and a downward motion in front of the face, to show that from the mountains we came to the plains to hunt buffalo. And somewhere along the way a French fur trapper, and some other tribes as well, thought that meant ‘pierced nose.’ But we never pierced our nose.” The Nez Perce name is commonly used today, and the tribe is federally recognized in north-central Idaho with more than 3,500 enrolled members. Encompassing about 770,000 acres, the Nez Perce Reservation is headquartered in Lapwai, Idaho, where the people uphold many traditional lifeways. To learn more about the history, culture and current-day enterprises of the Nimíipuu, go to: www.nezperce.org. Nearly 40 sites of historical and cultural importance to the tribe are presented at the Nez Perce National Historical Park: www.nps.gov/nepe. VIew the 51-minute video of Mr. Halfmoon, by the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation, go to: https://youtu.be/YxSfeN65Utg (you may have to skip ads). Image: Sketched by Roy Anderson, 1983. NPS. ... See MoreSee Less

7 days ago

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On Christmas night in 1866, an exhausted rider reached Fort Laramie, Wyoming, where the Officers Christmas Ball was in full swing. Draped in a Buffalo hide robe and chilled to the bone from a grueling 236-mile journey through a foot of snow and subzero temperatures, John "Portugee" Phillips bore a distressing message from Colonel Henry Carrington at Fort Phil Kearny. The message detailed the Plains Army's most devastating defeat at the Battle of the Hundred in the Hand, known among white soldiers as the Fetterman Massacre.This extraordinary feat, dubbed the "Greatest Ride in History," unfolds as a captivating tale shared by Dave McKee, the President of the Bozeman Trail/Fort Phil Kearny Association. ... See MoreSee Less

1 week ago

Portugee Phillips - The Greatest Ride

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On Christmas night in 1866, an exhausted rider reached Fort Laramie, Wyoming, where the Officers Christmas Ball was in full swing. Draped in a Buffalo hide r...