Landmarks+on+the+Oregon+Trail

The Oregon Trail began in Independence, Missouri. Along the trail, pioneers looked for many different landmarks to make sure they were on the right track.
(The Landmarks of the Oregon Trail, via http://www.historyglobe.com/ot/otmap1.htm)

Independence, Missouri
Independence, Missouri was founded in 1827. It was the very edge of American Civilization in the west and home to only a few hundred people. In the spring, pioneers would gather in Independence before setting off along the Oregon trail. It became known as a "Jumping Off" point. The pioneers would buy any last supplies they needed and water their cattle at the springs before starting west. 1

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The oregon trail was the worst time for the pilgrims. They had tools and personal stuff but that was it and then they had found gold and everything else

Court House Rock
After traveling more than 550 miles across the prairie in a covered wagon pioneers would see there first landmark to let them be sure they were on the right track. Court House and Jail House Rock are the first big landmarks on the journey west along the oregon trail. These two landmarks are located in what is now Nebraska.2 media type="googlemap" key="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Independence,+MO&daddr=Courthouse+Rock&hl=en&geocode=Fax7VAIdbVVf-ilD90IuIQPBhzH60tiUeQgCbg%3BFQy5egId9pLa-Snp8k73TWxwhzHzMfMq_uCVfA&aq=&sll=40.37738,-98.76467&sspn=6.593753,12.304687&t=h&mra=ls&ie=UTF8&ll=40.37738,-98.764775&spn=2.57268,8.69853&output=embed" width="509" height="420" align="center"



Chimney Rock
Only 12 miles from Courthouse and Jail House Rocks, Chimney Rock is known as the most famous landmark along the Oregon trail. Chimney rock was sketched in many pioneers diaries and mentioned in many more. The rock got its name from passing settlers who thought it looked like the chimney of a burned house. This landmark marked that last of the open prairie and he beginning of the Rocky Mountains. Many people tried to guess how tall the rock was as they passed by and wrote there estimates down.3 media type="googlemap" key="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Independence,+MO&daddr=Courthouse+Rock+to:West+Bayard,+Nebraska+(Chimney+Rock)&hl=en&geocode=Fax7VAIdbVVf-ilD90IuIQPBhzH60tiUeQgCbg%3BFQy5egId9pLa-Snp8k73TWxwhzHzMfMq_uCVfA%3BFZRTfAIdvAvX-SEvwbnryjOcHQ&aq=&sll=41.129021,-101.469727&sspn=6.520045,12.304688&t=h&mra=iwd&ie=UTF8&ll=41.129021,-101.469727&spn=2.62724,8.92591&output=embed" width="425" height="350" align="center"

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Fort Laramie
Around 75 more miles west on the Oregon Trail and Settlers would find themselves at Fort Laramie. Fort Laramie was established by fur traders in 1834 and was originally called fort Williams. In 1849 the United States military purchased the fort and renamed it Fort Laramie. The fort is located near where the Platte and Laramie rivers merge. It was an important stopping point along the Oregon Trail for settlers to get provisions. 4 media type="googlemap" key="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Independence,+MO&daddr=Courthouse+Rock+to:West+Bayard,+Nebraska+(Chimney+Rock)+to:Fort+Laramie,+WY&hl=en&geocode=Fax7VAIdbVVf-ilD90IuIQPBhzH60tiUeQgCbg%3BFQy5egId9pLa-Snp8k73TWxwhzHzMfMq_uCVfA%3BFZRTfAIdvAvX-SEvwbnryjOcHQ%3BFYkdhAIdxTHF-Sm9kp_V_bJlhzETIP2KtPGjWw&aq=0&oq=Fort+Lara&sll=40.405131,-99.09668&sspn=6.591301,12.304687&t=h&mra=ls&ie=UTF8&ll=40.405131,-99.09668&spn=3.12171,10.10167&output=embed" width="425" height="350" align="center"



Independence Rock
Independence rock is another of the most famous landmarks along the Oregon trail. The rock got its name from a group of fur trackers who celebrated the fourth of july on this spot in 1830. Pioneers hoped to reach this rock by the 4th of July so they knew they were not falling behind schedule. More than 5000 travlers carved there name into the gigantic granite boulder on there way west.

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Fort Bridger
Fort Bridger was established in 1843 as a trading post. Many pioneers were disappointed to find out that it wasn't really a fort at all, it started out as two houses connected by a coral for horses and a small blacksmiths shop.Many travelers skipped this stop and headed straight for Soda Springs. 6 media type="googlemap" key="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Independence,+MO&daddr=Courthouse+Rock+to:West+Bayard,+Nebraska+(Chimney+Rock)+to:Fort+Laramie,+WY+to:Independence+Rock+to:Fort+Bridger,+WY&hl=en&geocode=Fax7VAIdbVVf-ilD90IuIQPBhzH60tiUeQgCbg%3BFQy5egId9pLa-Snp8k73TWxwhzHzMfMq_uCVfA%3BFZRTfAIdvAvX-SEvwbnryjOcHQ%3BFYkdhAIdxTHF-Sm9kp_V_bJlhzETIP2KtPGjWw%3BFa5oiAIddEmd-SG8HJEYPWlU_A%3BFQlxdgIdO6tr-SmPDI3iY6pRhzEZWBie5fx-ag&aq=0&oq=Fort+Bridge&sll=40.212441,-101.381836&sspn=13.213772,24.609375&t=h&mra=ls&ie=UTF8&ll=40.212441,-101.381836&spn=3.76655,15.96878&output=embed" width="425" height="350" align="center"

Soda Springs
Soda springs is a bubbling spring that is heated and carbonated by volcanic activity below. Native Americans used them for medicinal purposes and bathing. Many people and animals became sick from drinking to much of the water which had a high alkaline content.7 media type="googlemap" key="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Independence,+MO&daddr=Courthouse+Rock+to:West+Bayard,+Nebraska+(Chimney+Rock)+to:fort+laramie+to:Independence+rock+to:Fort+Bridger,+WY+to:Soda+Springs,+ID&hl=en&geocode=Fax7VAIdbVVf-ilD90IuIQPBhzH60tiUeQgCbg%3BFQy5egId9pLa-Snp8k73TWxwhzHzMfMq_uCVfA%3BFZRTfAIdvAvX-SEvwbnryjOcHQ%3BFYkdhAIdxTHF-Sm9kp_V_bJlhzETIP2KtPGjWw%3BFa5oiAIddEmd-SG8HJEYPWlU_A%3BFQlxdgIdO6tr-SmPDI3iY6pRhzEZWBie5fx-ag%3BFZ3aigIdQwxZ-SnlegSwi5ZVhzESjt-moXA5nQ&aq=0&oq=soda&sll=40.974315,-102.3999&sspn=20.21029,28.256836&t=h&mra=ls&ie=UTF8&ll=40.979898,-102.392578&spn=3.76655,17.18916&output=embed" width="425" height="350" align="center"

Fort Hall
Fort Hall was established in 1834 as a fur trading post on the snake river. Early on this fort was where pioneers would abandon there wagons and continue on foot. In 1843 a party forged on with there wagons creating a path. The trail became more popular now that people could take there wagons all the way to Oregon. 8 media type="googlemap" key="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Independence,+MO&daddr=Courthouse+Rock+to:West+Bayard,+Nebraska+(Chimney+Rock)+to:fort+laramie+to:Independence+rock+to:Fort+Bridger,+WY+to:Soda+Springs,+ID+to:Fort+Hall,+ID&hl=en&geocode=Fax7VAIdbVVf-ilD90IuIQPBhzH60tiUeQgCbg%3BFQy5egId9pLa-Snp8k73TWxwhzHzMfMq_uCVfA%3BFZRTfAIdvAvX-SEvwbnryjOcHQ%3BFYkdhAIdxTHF-Sm9kp_V_bJlhzETIP2KtPGjWw%3BFa5oiAIddEmd-SG8HJEYPWlU_A%3BFQlxdgIdO6tr-SmPDI3iY6pRhzEZWBie5fx-ag%3BFZ3aigIdQwxZ-SnlegSwi5ZVhzESjt-moXA5nQ%3BFaCikAId11NM-SmjdFUMIjlVUzHL43g1HBr9fQ&aq=0&oq=fort+hal&sll=40.979898,-103.007812&sspn=20.21029,28.256836&t=h&mra=ls&ie=UTF8&ll=40.979898,-103.007812&spn=3.94221,18.02539&output=embed" width="425" height="350" align="center"

Fort Boise
Fort Boise started as a fur trading post in 1834. The fort was used as a supply point but was abandoned in 1854 because of flooding and Native American Attacks. In 1863 the military created a new Fort Boise near to where Boise, Idaho is today. media type="googlemap" key="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Independence,+MO&daddr=Courthouse+Rock+to:West+Bayard,+Nebraska+(Chimney+Rock)+to:fort+laramie+to:Independence+rock+to:Fort+Bridger,+WY+to:Soda+Springs,+ID+to:Fort+Hall,+ID+to:700+Robbins+Road,+Boise,+ID+83702+(Fort+Boise+Community+Center)&hl=en&geocode=Fax7VAIdbVVf-ilD90IuIQPBhzH60tiUeQgCbg%3BFQy5egId9pLa-Snp8k73TWxwhzHzMfMq_uCVfA%3BFZRTfAIdvAvX-SEvwbnryjOcHQ%3BFYkdhAIdxTHF-Sm9kp_V_bJlhzETIP2KtPGjWw%3BFa5oiAIddEmd-SG8HJEYPWlU_A%3BFQlxdgIdO6tr-SmPDI3iY6pRhzEZWBie5fx-ag%3BFZ3aigIdQwxZ-SnlegSwi5ZVhzESjt-moXA5nQ%3BFaCikAId11NM-SmjdFUMIjlVUzHL43g1HBr9fQ%3BFQeImQIdgRMT-SGx8xV3tYLYGimVJc7UHPmuVDEebUNU11iC5Q&aq=&sll=41.310824,-105.249023&sspn=20.110635,28.256836&t=h&mra=pd&ie=UTF8&ll=41.310824,-105.249023&spn=4.52584,21.78061&output=embed" width="425" height="350" align="center"

Whitman Mission
The Whitman mission was formed in 1836 by the Whitmans who were Methodist missionaries. The mission was used to offer religious and medical services as well as supply traveling wagons. The Whitmans also ministered to the Cayuse Native Americans. In November 1847 a measles epidemic broke out and killed many Cayuse but not the Whitmans or visiting pioneers. The Cayuse thought the disease was because of the people and there strange religion. They killed the Whitmans and 11 other pioneers, some of them children. They took some people captive and burned down the mission.9 media type="googlemap" key="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Independence,+MO&daddr=Courthouse+Rock+to:West+Bayard,+Nebraska+(Chimney+Rock)+to:fort+laramie+to:Independence+rock+to:Fort+Bridger,+WY+to:Soda+Springs,+ID+to:Fort+Hall,+ID+to:700+Robbins+Road,+Boise,+ID+83702+(Fort+Boise+Community+Center)+to:whitmans+mi+to:Kennewick,+WA&hl=en&geocode=Fax7VAIdbVVf-ilD90IuIQPBhzH60tiUeQgCbg%3BFQy5egId9pLa-Snp8k73TWxwhzHzMfMq_uCVfA%3BFZRTfAIdvAvX-SEvwbnryjOcHQ%3BFYkdhAIdxTHF-Sm9kp_V_bJlhzETIP2KtPGjWw%3BFa5oiAIddEmd-SG8HJEYPWlU_A%3BFQlxdgIdO6tr-SmPDI3iY6pRhzEZWBie5fx-ag%3BFZ3aigIdQwxZ-SnlegSwi5ZVhzESjt-moXA5nQ%3BFaCikAId11NM-SmjdFUMIjlVUzHL43g1HBr9fQ%3BFQeImQIdgRMT-SGx8xV3tYLYGimVJc7UHPmuVDEebUNU11iC5Q%3B%3B&aq=0&oq=kenne&sll=41.112469,-114.125977&sspn=20.170451,28.256836&t=h&mra=ls&ie=UTF8&ll=42.627679,-101.151669&spn=7.312813,36.181646&output=embed" width="425" height="350" align="center"

The Dalles
The Dalles were an area on the Columbia River that early settlers needed to raft down to pass through the Stony River Gorge. Rafting was dangerous and later. In 1845 the Barlow toll road opened and offered a different path that went around the dangerous rafting trip. 10 media type="googlemap" key="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Independence,+MO&daddr=Courthouse+Rock+to:West+Bayard,+Nebraska+(Chimney+Rock)+to:fort+laramie+to:Independence+rock+to:Fort+Bridger,+WY+to:Soda+Springs,+ID+to:Fort+Hall,+ID+to:700+Robbins+Road,+Boise,+ID+83702+(Fort+Boise+Community+Center)+to:whitmans+mi+to:Kennewick,+WA+to:The+Dalles,+OR&hl=en&geocode=Fax7VAIdbVVf-ilD90IuIQPBhzH60tiUeQgCbg%3BFQy5egId9pLa-Snp8k73TWxwhzHzMfMq_uCVfA%3BFZRTfAIdvAvX-SEvwbnryjOcHQ%3BFYkdhAIdxTHF-Sm9kp_V_bJlhzETIP2KtPGjWw%3BFa5oiAIddEmd-SG8HJEYPWlU_A%3BFQlxdgIdO6tr-SmPDI3iY6pRhzEZWBie5fx-ag%3BFZ3aigIdQwxZ-SnlegSwi5ZVhzESjt-moXA5nQ%3BFaCikAId11NM-SmjdFUMIjlVUzHL43g1HBr9fQ%3BFQeImQIdgRMT-SGx8xV3tYLYGimVJc7UHPmuVDEebUNU11iC5Q%3B%3BFa4gwQIdLhzm-CmjTfXnVHiYVDHgioyurX19eA%3B&aq=0&oq=the+dalles&sll=38.065392,-105.556641&sspn=41.807652,56.513672&t=h&mra=ls&ie=UTF8&ll=38.065392,-105.556641&spn=7.312813,38.183055&output=embed" width="425" height="350" align="center"

Oregon City
Oregon City marked the official end of the Oregon Trail, though for many travelers this was not the end of there journey. The settlement was founded in 1842 where the Willamette river flows into the Columbia River. The city flourished with all of the people traveling the Oregon trail. 11 media type="googlemap" key="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Independence,+MO&daddr=Courthouse+Rock+to:West+Bayard,+Nebraska+(Chimney+Rock)+to:fort+laramie+to:Independence+rock+to:Fort+Bridger,+WY+to:Soda+Springs,+ID+to:Fort+Hall,+ID+to:700+Robbins+Road,+Boise,+ID+83702+(Fort+Boise+Community+Center)+to:whitmans+mi+to:Kennewick,+WA+to:The+Dalles,+OR+to:Oregon+City,+OR&hl=en&geocode=Fax7VAIdbVVf-ilD90IuIQPBhzH60tiUeQgCbg%3BFQy5egId9pLa-Snp8k73TWxwhzHzMfMq_uCVfA%3BFZRTfAIdvAvX-SEvwbnryjOcHQ%3BFYkdhAIdxTHF-Sm9kp_V_bJlhzETIP2KtPGjWw%3BFa5oiAIddEmd-SG8HJEYPWlU_A%3BFQlxdgIdO6tr-SmPDI3iY6pRhzEZWBie5fx-ag%3BFZ3aigIdQwxZ-SnlegSwi5ZVhzESjt-moXA5nQ%3BFaCikAId11NM-SmjdFUMIjlVUzHL43g1HBr9fQ%3BFQeImQIdgRMT-SGx8xV3tYLYGimVJc7UHPmuVDEebUNU11iC5Q%3B%3BFa4gwQIdLhzm-CmjTfXnVHiYVDHgioyurX19eA%3BFcS3twIdxvXG-CmHQ5eh2R2WVDGqOuT_b8YuXQ%3B&aq=1&oq=oregon+&sll=42.617791,-102.128906&sspn=39.292532,56.513672&t=h&mra=ls&ie=UTF8&ll=42.617791,-102.128906&spn=7.312813,39.612057&output=embed" width="425" height="350" align="center"

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1 http://www.ci.independence.mo.us/nftm/ AboutUs.aspx 2http://www.google.com/imgres?q=courthouse+rock&hl=en&client=safari&sa=X&rls=en&biw=1501&bih=898&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=RW4CjV_7JHo9YM:&imgrefurl=http://www.beepworld.de/members62/wiwasteka/nebraska.htm&docid=rdg57LnZdzVb2M&imgurl=http://www.beepworld.de/memberdateien/members62/wiwasteka/ne-courthouse-jail_rock_01.jpg&w=717&h=484&ei=r0p6T8n4E-f10gGTtanqAw&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=390&sig=113907151244629856065&page=3&tbnh=167&tbnw=230&start=54&ndsp=31&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:54&tx=56&ty=64 3 http://www.nebraskahistory.org/sites/rock/, http://www.historyglobe.com/ot/chimneyrock.htm 4 http://wyoshpo.state.wy.us/trailsdemo/ftlrmie.htm 5 http://wyoshpo.state.wy.us/trailsdemo/independencerock256k.htm 6http://www.legendsofamerica.com/photos-wyoming/Fort%20Bridger%20Drawing.jpg 7 [] 8 [] 9 [] 10 [] media type="custom" key="14059496"