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OCTA > The Trails

The Trails

A map of the central and western united states with a red line designating the oregon and california trails and blue circles indicating points of interest along the routes — **Virtual Trail**

Horses pull a covered wagon in front of chimney rock — **Virtual Trail**

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Oregon-California Trails Association

15 hours ago

Convention Tours Filling Up Fast! - OCTA E-News for Friday, August 12, 2022 - https://mailchi.mp/indepmo/e-news-for-monday-july-13673761 ... See MoreSee Less

Convention Tours Filling Up Fast! - OCTA E-News for Friday, August 12, 2022

mailchi.mp

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Oregon-California Trails Association

18 hours ago

Harlan Seyfer, at left, shown here receiving the History Nebraska Heritage Hero Award in 2020, has been selected for a national award. He will receive the Merrill J. Mattes Award at the 40th annual convention of the Oregon-California Trails Association in Casper, Wyoming on September 1. Seyfer has researched many historical topics relating to Plattsmouth, Cass Countyn, and Nebraska during his career and is past president of the Nebraska Chapter of OCTA. He was also instrumental in planning tours for the 2018 Council Bluffs convention. Join us at the Oregon-California Trails Association Convention in Casper Wyoming this month to help celebrate Harlan's achievement. Register and sign up today! ... See MoreSee Less

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Oregon-California Trails Association

2 days ago

Harlan Seyfer, at left, shown here receiving the History Nebraska Heritage Hero Award in 2020, has been selected for a national award. He will receive the Merrill J. Mattes Award at the 40th annual convention of the Oregon-California Trails Association in Casper, Wyoming on September 1. Seyfer has researched many historical topics relating to Plattsmouth, Cass County, and Nebraska during his career, and is past president of the Nebraska Chapter of OCTA. He was also instrumental in planning tours for the 2018 Council Bluffs convention. Join us at the convention to help celebrate Harlan's achievement by registering here: https://octa-trails.regfox.com/2022-octa-convention-casper-wyoming/… ... See MoreSee Less

Seyfer earns prestigious history writing award

fremonttribune.com

PLATTSMOUTH – Plattsmouth resident Harlan Seyfer has used his love of history to carve out a successful career as a researcher and writer.

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Oregon-California Trails Association

2 days ago

A question for current trail travelers - could you describe it any better?“ (Scotts Bluff) is nearly divided but encloses a fine green area like a court, around which, except on the east, rises what seems like an imposing pile of regal buildings in the style of the earlier days of monarchy. It appears as if two immense structures had been raised . . . . East . . . . is a beautiful tower, apparently as perfect in its form as the hand of man could make it . . . . In the center . . . . rises a noble perfect dome”. -S.H. Taylor in 1853 Mr. Taylor seems to have described Scotts Bluff pretty well. Could you describe it any better? #TrailTuesday #MidwestNPS #findyourpark Image- Dome Rock and South Bluff are seen at sunset. NPS/Brian Poffenberger ... See MoreSee Less

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Oregon-California Trails Association

7 days ago

On August 4, 1849, J. Goldsborough Bruff sketched Haystack Butte on the Oregon Trail and briefly mentioned it in his diary, writing that he found fossils there and dug out “a fragment of bone” and “piece of madrepore [coral]” with his bowie knife. "Haystack Butte" written by Randy Brown shares more about this unique landmark."Haystack Butte was a minor landmark on the Sublette Cutoff of the Oregon Trail west of South Pass. Depending on where emigrants crossed the Big Sandy River, the butte was one to three trail miles farther west. Perhaps because many passed it before dawn or in the early evening when it was dark, the butte was not often mentioned in emigrant diaries. It was notable only because it stands out alone on the plain and is visible for miles. Viewed from a distance, the butte does look like a large haystack. Estimates of its height varied from 60 to 200 feet, with 60 feet probably the most accurate guess.Different trail branches passed on each side of the butte. Some travelers they saw it on the on the right, others on the left. A trail branch coming up from Little Sandy Creek passed quite close to the butte and met the regular Sublette trace just beyond." READ MORE: https://www.wyohistory.org/encyclopedia/haystack-butte 🖌Forty-niner J. Goldsborough Bruff's sketches of Haystack Butte, from his book of journals and drawings. Author's collection. ... See MoreSee Less

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Oregon-California Trails Association

1 week ago

Convention Tours Filling Up Fast! - OCTA E-News for Friday, August 5, 2022 - https://mailchi.mp/indepmo/e-news-for-monday-july-13672801 ... See MoreSee Less

Convention Tours Filling Up Fast! - OCTA E-News for Friday, August 5, 2022

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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