What Is The First Step For Most Pioneers’ Journey West In Independence, Missouri?
The Oregon Trail, the History of the Mormons, and Various Historic Sites – Independence, Missouri was the location where tens of thousands of American pioneers made their initial steps west. Independence became the most popular starting place for travelers on the Oregon Trail even before the time of President Harry S.
Truman, thanks to the pioneers who settled the area. During a period of time in the middle of the 1800s, our streets groaned under the weight of wooden carts. At the same time, they hummed with the promise of free land and a new beginning. During this same period of time, Independence was developing on its own merits.
The locals responded to the growing number of tourists by constructing a suitable courtroom, as well as churches, residences, and businesses to meet their needs. The history of our country’s early settlers may be experienced in full at a number of museums and historic sites around the country today.
In addition to being the beginning of the Oregon Trail, Independence, Missouri was also the beginning of the California Trail and the Santa Fe Trail. Santa Fe offered trade, Oregon promised land, and California promised gold. Oregon’s promise came first. Between the years 1821 and 1849, tens of thousands of pioneers and traders traveled to Independence in order to purchase supplies for their upcoming adventures.
Over the course of its history, Independence became known as the “Queen City of the Trails.”
What path did most pioneers take to reach the West?
During the middle of the 1800s, hundreds of thousands of Americans pioneers traveled the Oregon Trail, which stretched for approximately 2,000 miles from Independence, Missouri, to Oregon City, Oregon. They did so in order to relocate to western states.
Where was the starting point of the trail for most pioneers?
Although some of the early groups gathered and set off from Elm Grove, the principal departure point for travelers on the Oregon Trail was either Independence, Missouri or Kansas City (Missouri), which was located on the Missouri River.
How did the early pioneers find their way while traveling?
The Western Settlers were Guided in Their Expansion Across the Land by Roads, Canals, and Trails It’s possible that those people in the United States who responded to the call to “move west, young man” did so with a spirit of tremendous adventure.
What 3 trails all started in Independence Missouri?
The Santa Fe, Oregon, and California trails were the three most important routes that traversed the Western United States.
What are the 3 main trails that led to the West?
The Emigrant Trails were a collective name given to three of the routes that originated in Missouri: the Oregon Trail, the Mormon Trail, and the California Trail.
How did settlers get to the West?
Westward expansion, also known as the migration of people into the American West during the 19th century, started with the purchase of Louisiana and was fuelled by the Gold Rush, the Oregon Trail, and a belief in the concept of “manifest destiny.”
Where did the Oregon Trail start in Independence Missouri?
The land that the pioneers had to travel across prior to reaching their destination was devoid of any cities or communities. Emigrants traversed extensive grasslands, which were warm during the day but chilly at night, for several weeks. The unfortunate tourists were frequently subjected to the onslaught of strong thunderstorms.
They eventually made it through the Rocky Mountains, which were covered with snow. On the other side of the mountains was a huge wilderness consisting of gorges, woods, and scrubby desert sagebrush. The path first emerged at the historic Independence Landing, which is located just to the north of Independence, Missouri.
After traveling by steamboat for five or six days from St. Louis, immigrants disembarked at this location. The lively town square in the middle of Independence served as the epicenter of the community’s activities. The majority of the new settlers set up camp within a mile or two of the town center and busied themselves buying provisions for the journey that would take them between four and five months.
- Those who had horses or mules were the first to go so that their animals could graze on the shorter grasses.
- Because cattle have a different dentition than horses do, the majority of people who had oxen who were strong and durable didn’t leave until two weeks later. Herman J.
- Meyer’s observation of Independence, Missouri, in the year 1853.
Emigrants could acquire goods at the stores and businesses that were located on the main street, which was dominated by a steepled brick courthouse. A motivational phrase would generally be seen on the front cover of a standard pioneering handbook, one of the thousands that were issued in the middle of the 19th century.
How far did the pioneers typically walk each day for 6 months?
It was considered a successful day’s trip if you could cover eighteen to twenty miles over the plains. The sound of a bugle or a shotgun fired by a guard was what initially roused the early settlers in the wilderness just before dawn. After hiking over several days, several patterns became established, including the following: The camp is roused at four o’clock in the morning by the sound of a bugler’s trumpet or the night guards’ rifle shots.
At five in the morning, the cattle are herded up after having been permitted to graze freely during the previous night (unless when they were endangered by Indians). At around 5:30 in the morning, women, children, and sometimes even men are awake and preparing breakfast, which often consists of bacon, corn porridge, or “Johnny Cakes,” which are produced by combining flour and water.
At 6:30 in the morning, the women clean the cups and dishes and put away the bedding while the men take down the tents and load the gear into the carts. At seven in the morning, once all of the families have gathered their teams and attached them to the wagons, a trumpeter will sound a “Wagons Ho” signal to begin moving the wagons along the path.
- The typical distance traveled in one day was fifteen miles, but on a very productive day, twenty miles may be accomplished.7:30 in the morning, men on horseback armed with shovels ride ahead of the group to clear a route, if one is required.
- Noon Time” is the time when people and animals alike pause to eat, drink, and relax.
Back on the path about one in the afternoon.5 o’clock in the afternoon: When a suitable camping spot with plenty of water and grass is discovered, the pioneers stop and set up camp for the evening. The wagons are arranged in the shape of a corral. Unpacking and dinner preparations for the families begin at six o’clock.
What is Independence MO famous for?
Notable Events: Established (March 29, 1827) The Initial Conflict in Defense of Independence (August 11, 1862) A second engagement in the War of Independence (October 21, 1864) Independence, Missouri was established in 1827 with the purpose of becoming the fur trade’s most westernmost port of call on the Missouri River.
Later on, it was used as a starting point for the Santa Fe, Oregon, and California Trails, and during the Civil War, there were two fights that took place on this land. The year 1862 saw the beginning of the First Battle of Independence after a combined army of Confederate soldiers and bushwhackers, led by William Clarke Quantrill, took possession of the city.
After about two years, in the Second Battle of Independence, Major General Sterling Price commanded his Confederate invaders. After Price’s crushing loss at the hands of General Samuel R. Curtis in the Battle of Westport, he was able to continue his Missouri Expedition and make his way into Kansas City thanks to the win he gained at that location.
How did individuals travel to the West?
. Photos.com/Getty Images/Photos.com/Photos.com It’s possible that the image of a covered wagon will be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the “westward expansion” of settlers in the United States. During the 19th century, persons traveling from the east to the west were transported in a variety of ways, including covered wagons, stage coaches, and even boats.
What were the 4 major trails that settlers travel on to go west?
These courageous pioneers traveled westward for approximately five to six months along overland trails such as the California Trail, Gila River Trail, Mormon Trail, Old Spanish Trail, Oregon Trail, and Santa Fe Trail for a variety of reasons. Some of these trails include the Gila River Trail, the Old Spanish Trail, the Oregon Trail, and the Santa Fe Trail.
How long did it take for pioneers to move west?
Rickie Longfellow’s “Wagons West” is credited as the author. RVing is a kind of camping that has been gaining popularity across the United States over the past several decades and continues to do so each year (Recreational Vehicle-ing). These days, it is difficult for us to come across a road that is not paved, and if we do, it is almost always gravel-covered and, in many instances, situated within a campsite.
In recent years, camping has emerged as one of the most popular leisure activities in the United States. However, for many people going camping does not mean setting up a tent, fishing for dinner, or otherwise roughing it in any way. A novel kind of camping that has been gaining popularity across the United States over the past few decades continues to go from strength to strength year after year.
The term for this kind of travel is “RVing” (Recreational Vehicle-ing). Every day of the year, thousands of luxurious motor homes, exclusive travel trailers, convenient and compact cab-over campers, converted vans and pop-ups, and eloquent Fifth Wheels make their way across the United States’ roadways.
These vehicles are often fueled by married couples with two incomes who are taking advantage of the opportunity to travel. An RV will often have a number of conventional amenities, including but not limited to: running water, heating and cooling systems, microwaves, dual TVs, restrooms, kitchens, and queen-sized mattresses.
These daring travelers like to use their recreational vehicles (RVs) on roads with smooth surfaces and meet just a few potholes and other minor road hazards here and there. On the other hand, the nation’s earliest “campers,” or the pioneers who moved west by covered wagon train in the early to late 1800s, did not have access to the pleasures of today, and traveling was not nearly as simple.
Aside from the difficult voyage of traveling by oxen-pulled wagon and walking huge distances, movement was sluggish, and roads that were simply rough dirt tracks to begin with sometimes terminated suddenly, which required travelers to take diversions. Even though the early settlers did not have to pay the exorbitant prices for fuel, they did have the issue of ensuring the well-being of both themselves and their animals, most notably the oxen that were used to draw the wagons.
The passage of time was still another critical component in wagon train excursions, as pioneers raced against the clock to reach their destinations before the onset of winter. With climate control available in our RVs, we are able to complete the coast-to-coast trip in only a few days.
Depending on the temperature, the state of the road, and how the occupants were feeling, the covered wagon might move anywhere from 8 to 20 miles every day. It is possible that it will take up to six months or perhaps longer for them to get at their destination. These days, we drive hundreds of miles in a single day, our sole concern being whether or not we will get at the campground before nightfall so that we may hook up our water and electricity during the daylight hours.
Even though early toll bridges might be somewhat pricey, there were occasions when the circumstances dictated that they were the best option. In Carl Rakeman’s novel 1843-Oregon Trail, the immigrants cross a river on a raft that also transports their wagon.
- The novel is set in Oregon in 1843.
- Campers who travel in recreational vehicles often take pictures of the beautiful landscapes they pass through using their laptops and digital cameras.
- When one reads the memoirs and diaries of several pioneers, it becomes clear that in spite of all the difficulties they faced, these individuals had an appreciation for beautiful landscapes and favorable weather.
In the early 1800s, a pioneer recorded in his notebook, “. Into a lovely valley.warm nice day.” (entered a beautiful valley) The weather was the primary factor in the difficulties that the pioneers had with their modes of conveyance. The wet weather resulted in mud and quicksand, while the winds resulted in downed trees and other misfortunes, all of which hampered travel and the “race” to be settled before winter.
Unfortunately, it was not always feasible to avoid snow. Even though sufficient water and grasses were required for the animals when the wagon train stopped for the night regardless of the weather, hot weather could become a problem because more frequent water sources were required for both travelers and livestock.
Hot weather was also a potential problem. The broken axles that resulted from the ruts in the routes were a significant issue; nevertheless, many visitors took along a spare, much as our vehicle is outfitted with a spare tire. If they did not have it, they would have to abandon the wagon, and the other passengers on the trail would help the family survive until they reached a place where they could buy another one.
However, some early entrepreneurs paid anywhere from $5.00 to $15.00 to cross man-built wooden bridges over rivers. The toll bridges of today, which are robust constructions composed of steel and concrete and undergo routine maintenance, may cost us only a few dollars per car. The fee would only cover the wagon and the team, which meant that any additional animals the passengers had, such as cows and spare oxen, would have to swim over the river, and many of them would perish as a result.
The Public Broadcasting Station aired the documentary “Frontier House” in April of 2002. In it, three different families experienced living on the frontier for a period of five months. The show is also available on DVD, which may be purchased or borrowed from your local library.
- The project was an instructional miniseries that documented the families’ day-to-day life and their struggle to survive as pioneers in the year 1883.
- Feel the jolts of the covered wagon ride as it makes its way to its destination as we get an up-close and personal look at how our ancestors traveled on primitive trails and highways, or even when there were no roads at all.
Recommended links: Http://www.pbs.org/wnet/frontierhouse/ http://www.cyndislist.com/migration.htm#Wagon
What trails started Independence?
To get to Independence, the starting point for the overland journeys on the Santa Fe, Oregon, and California routes, people journeyed upstream on the ‘highway’ that was the Missouri River on steamboats filled with their belongings on the Missouri River.
Why did the Oregon Trail start in Independence Missouri?
Landing was an important supply port for early settlers since it was the Missouri River landing that was located the closest to the towns of Independence, Wayne City, and Upper Independence. Additionally, it served as the departure point for a large number of people who were about to journey west via the Oregon and California Trails.
When was the last wagon train going west?
Agnes Stewart wrote a book on her grueling journey across America in the year 1853, and that journal is still around today in a variety of formats and versions. The last leg of the voyage took Mary and her family through what is now the present-day community of Oakridge, which is located in close proximity to the Middle Fork of the Willamette River.
Before the arrival of the Lost Wagon Train, the area was mostly occupied by Native Americans and saw only sporadic visits from outsiders. Agnes confirmed receipt of the book that she filled with an account of her voyage in one of her first entries, which was dated March 16, 1853. The journey would span seven and a half months, and it would be emotionally and physically taxing for the whole duration.
She was handed the diary the night before she departed from Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, for Oregon Territory. Her destination was the Oregon Territory. Following their arrival in St. Louis, Missouri, nine days later, the travelers proceeded to St. Joseph, Missouri, arriving in that city on April 5 after having gotten themselves dressed after having landed in St.
Louis, Missouri. Agnes wrote in her journal, “.Arrived at St. Joseph today.” “Was rather dissatisfied with the way the area looked,” said the speaker. She was dismayed to find an established village at the border of the frontier, replete with brick buildings and “plenty of whiskey.” She had anticipated seeing log houses and frame shanties there.
She wrote that every male she encountered had the appearance of an empty ale barrel. After about a month had passed at St. Joseph, the Stewart family and the other members of the business finally completed the journey to the Missouri River and crossed it.
When they got there, young Agnes related a story about one of the first challenges they had on the voyage. After the ferry they were on overturned in the river, taking with them four men and a yoke of cattle, all of whom perished. As of the 24th of May, the organization had made it as far as the Blue River (southern Nebraska).
It was clear from reading her diary that the trip had already started to take its toll on her. We set up camp at a spot on the Blue River where wolves had previously unearthed the remains of a lady who had been buried there. Agnes said in her writing that the woman’s grave had been improperly excavated.”.It seems like a terrible omen,” she said, having been accustomed to encountering death along the way, “but what is the difference? After one’s spirit has left their body, they are unable to feel anything.” On June 7, which was Agnes’ twenty-first birthday, the company was camping in the area close to the South Fork of the Platte River.
- She wrote while perched on a hill overlooking the camp and made mental notes about the landscape, which was covered with flowers of many different colors.
- The troop pushed on further, traveling along the path that had been traveled before by Captain Miller (the commander of the wagon train), until they arrived at Malheur Lake (eastern Oregon).
After a discussion with Miller, the group of travelers reportedly made the decision there to go around the lake by a path that was further southerly. This is according to M.Y. (Mason) Warner. The crew was forced to build their own way over the high desert, over the Cascades, and into the Upper Willamette Valley near Oakridge as a result of the change in course.
By the time they reached the end of the path, the members of the party had been reduced to eating near-starvation rations of rice and beef that was almost unfit for consumption. By the end of October 1853, all of the wagons that had been part of the derailed train had been transported to Lowell, which is located on the Middle Fork of the Willamette River.
During the latter stage of the voyage, the river was crossed more than forty times by wading through the water. Agnes Warner, who was just seventeen when she married him, was another member of the Lost Wagon Train. Together, the couple had five children.
- There were descendants of Agnes and Thomas Warner living in Fall Creek and Eugene at the time when C.B.
- McFarland was compiling information on the early history of the area.
- Later on, relatives made their home in the Oakridge region.
- A historical narrative written by M.Y.
- Warner, excerpts from the journal of Agnes Stewart, and material collated by C.B.
McFarland are the sources for this article. Additional tales of the journey are chronicled in the books Early Days on the Upper Willamette, written by Veryl and Harry Worth, and Lost Wagon Train, written by Edward Gray. Both books may be found on Amazon.com.
How did pioneers get land in the West?
The Homestead Act of 1862 was enacted in the same year that its namesake law was written. It gave pioneers the opportunity to claim free land comprising 160 acres. This offer was open to everyone who was at least 21 years old or who was recorded on the census as the head of the household.
People who were looking to start over in life were given a fantastic chance as a result of this act. The primary prerequisite for staking a claim was that the prospective claimants reside on the property in question for a period of five years and make various modifications to it during that time, such as constructing a home.
The only money that was spent was on the filing cost, which was $18. A homesteader would need to bring the survey coordinates to the land office that is closest to them in order to file for a claim. The homesteader would have to consent to the construction of a house and farm, which were prerequisites for ownership to be confirmed, and checks would be run to guarantee that the property in question had not already been claimed.
- After some time had passed, two neighbors would sign affidavits confirming that all of the conditions had been satisfied.
- After that, the owner of the property would be granted a patent for it, which would be signed by the President of the United States.
- Homestead records are an excellent resource for learning when your ancestors resided in a certain location as well as where they lived throughout their time there.
FamilySearch maintains a sizable database that may be searched to locate patents and deeds. 
What were the two methods of travel to move into the West?
The response to the review question is – New settlers’ journeys to the West were made much more manageable by the construction of the Cumberland Road. By establishing a connection between the Hudson River and Lake Erie, the construction of the Erie Canal made it easier to do business in the West.
When did pioneers Go west?
Some pioneers set out in search of financial success in the logging, fur, or precious metals industries. Others had high hopes that the temperate environment of the Pacific Coast would improve their health. People moved west for a variety of reasons, including these.
What two trails did Americans move west?
Which two routes did Americans take to get to the West Coast? The Santa Fe Trail as well as the Oregon Trail.