The Oregon Trail holds a unique place in the history of the
United States. Thousands of pioneers used the trail to populate
the middle and western parts of the country in the 19th century.
Oregon Trail
In the eighteen hundreds, the east coast of the United States
had become overcrowded and expensive. For relief, people looked
to the opportunities in the then limitless west. Over the next
100 years, hundreds of thousands of people undertook the six
month quest to find a better life. Tens of thousands died along
the route.
The Oregon Trail begins in Independence, Missouri and winds its
way to the Willamette River Valley in Oregon. Follow the trail
from beginning to end and you'll pass through the states of
Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming and Idaho.
Tracking the Oregon Trail can take a month by car, so I am going
to highlight certain spots in this and further articles. Arrow
Rock, Missouri is as good a place as any to start.
Arrow Rock, Missouri
Although Independence, Missouri is technically the beginning of
the Oregon Trail, Arrow Rock is a better place to start. Arrow
Rock is a tiny town of maybe 100 people and remains much the way
it was during the hey day of the Oregon Trail. You'll get a real
taste of the way things were by visiting the tavern and old
seminary. One of the odder attractions is the Calaboose.
Arrow Rock has the rather peculiar Calaboose Jail. Built of
stone, the jail is particular because it is built for only one
person. By one person, I mean no lobby, no office, no nothing,
just a stone structure with one wooden door.
To get a better understanding of Arrow Rock, make sure to visit
the Arrow Rock Historic Site center. For lodging, there are four
or five bed and breakfast options in the town. Campers can stay
at the Arrow Rock Historic Site camping grounds.
Visiting Arrow Rock is like stepping back into the Wild West.
Look to the west and you can get a feel for how the pioneers
felt as they started their long journey.
More Information:Rick Chapo is with
www.NomadJournals.com - makers of diary and writing journals. Visit
www.NomadJournalTrips.com to read more articles about national parks and the great outdoors.
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