Explorers
Prior to the 1800’s, many Americans wondered about the vast region west of the Mississippi. The only known inhabitants at the time were Indians who lived out West and along the coast of the Pacific. The Spanish had explored the coast of the Pacific, and an American explorer named Robert Gray discovered the Columbia River, which flows more than 1200 miles from the Canadian Rockies to southeastern British Columbia to the Pacific. (Dary, 2004) One of Gray’s crewmembers wrote in his journal, “Without doubt we are the first Civilized people that ever visited this port, and these poor fellows view’d us and the Ship with the greatest astonishment, their language was different from any we have yet heard…the river abounds with excellent Salmon, and most other River fish…” (As cited in Dary, 2004, p.10) There were other journals that were kept, that detailed the animals that lived in the regions, such as many fur-bearing animals that lived in the mountainous areas.
Prior to the 1800’s, many Americans wondered about the vast region west of the Mississippi. The only known inhabitants at the time were Indians who lived out West and along the coast of the Pacific. The Spanish had explored the coast of the Pacific, and an American explorer named Robert Gray discovered the Columbia River, which flows more than 1200 miles from the Canadian Rockies to southeastern British Columbia to the Pacific. (Dary, 2004) One of Gray’s crewmembers wrote in his journal, “Without doubt we are the first Civilized people that ever visited this port, and these poor fellows view’d us and the Ship with the greatest astonishment, their language was different from any we have yet heard…the river abounds with excellent Salmon, and most other River fish…” (As cited in Dary, 2004, p.10) There were other journals that were kept, that detailed the animals that lived in the regions, such as many fur-bearing animals that lived in the mountainous areas.
In 1802, Thomas Jefferson read some of those journals and decided that if the United States did not take action and make claim to the Columbia River, they would lose the credit and much of the resources of the West. Therefore, he put together an expedition to explore the region; however, he wanted it to be a secret from England, France, and Spain; so he called it a “literary pursuit.” Jefferson chose Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to lead the expedition; the two explorers would collect scientific, diplomatic, and commercial goods, as well as attempt to find a decent route to get there (Dary, 2004). Two years would pass before Jefferson would hear from Lewis and Clark; but in December of 1805, William Clark wrote to Jefferson saying that “we have found the most practicable and navigable passage across the continent of North America" (Boettcher & Trinklein, 2011). Unfortunately, later explorers would discover that the route was much too difficult for wagon traffic.
As the 1800’s continued, the fur trading business was just getting to be in demand. Many mountain men were beginning the trek across the region trapping animals and discovering new routes to the Pacific. After William and Clark’s account that the West had potential for commercially trading fur, a man by the name of John Jacob Astor, who was the leading American merchant in the fur trading business at the time, desired to put a few trading posts along Lewis and Clark’s route to the Pacific (Dary, 2004). Astor’s first attempt was sending his men by ship around Cape Horn, in which they arrived safely; however, the ship was later destroyed by Indians. The second attempt was traveling Lewis and Clark’s route, but they soon discovered that it was too difficult to cross the rivers. To help his men, Astor enlisted the help of Robert Stuart. Stuart would be the one to discover the South Pass, which was a 20 mile wide gap between the Rocky Mountains. This gap would be wide enough for wagons to get through on their journeys. On Thursday, October 22, Stuart wrote in his journal about the South Pass. “We set out at day light, and ascended about three miles, when we found a spring of excellent water, and breakfasted; five more (miles) brought us to the top of the mountain, which we call the big horn" (As cited in Dary, 2004, p. 42). At the time Stuart did not realize that it would become the most important landmark on the Oregon Trail.
Another man that has been credited for “discovering” part of the trail was Joe Walker. He roamed the west for many years and would trap beavers and lead expeditions. He was best known for carving out the trail from St. Louis that would lead to California (Boettcher & Trinklein, 2011).
As the years progressed, in 1842, a man by the name of John Fremont was ordered to take an expedition up towards the Platte River to the Sweetwater River which flows through Wyoming. Throughout Fremont’s travels he addresses the road conditions in his journals saying, “From the mouth of the Kansas to the Green River valley, west of the mountains, there is no such thing as a mountain road…” (As cited in Dary, 2004, p. 83). After his expedition was over, Fremont published his reports along with a map and was credited with preparing the way for many settlers to make their way west.
As the 1800’s continued, the fur trading business was just getting to be in demand. Many mountain men were beginning the trek across the region trapping animals and discovering new routes to the Pacific. After William and Clark’s account that the West had potential for commercially trading fur, a man by the name of John Jacob Astor, who was the leading American merchant in the fur trading business at the time, desired to put a few trading posts along Lewis and Clark’s route to the Pacific (Dary, 2004). Astor’s first attempt was sending his men by ship around Cape Horn, in which they arrived safely; however, the ship was later destroyed by Indians. The second attempt was traveling Lewis and Clark’s route, but they soon discovered that it was too difficult to cross the rivers. To help his men, Astor enlisted the help of Robert Stuart. Stuart would be the one to discover the South Pass, which was a 20 mile wide gap between the Rocky Mountains. This gap would be wide enough for wagons to get through on their journeys. On Thursday, October 22, Stuart wrote in his journal about the South Pass. “We set out at day light, and ascended about three miles, when we found a spring of excellent water, and breakfasted; five more (miles) brought us to the top of the mountain, which we call the big horn" (As cited in Dary, 2004, p. 42). At the time Stuart did not realize that it would become the most important landmark on the Oregon Trail.
Another man that has been credited for “discovering” part of the trail was Joe Walker. He roamed the west for many years and would trap beavers and lead expeditions. He was best known for carving out the trail from St. Louis that would lead to California (Boettcher & Trinklein, 2011).
As the years progressed, in 1842, a man by the name of John Fremont was ordered to take an expedition up towards the Platte River to the Sweetwater River which flows through Wyoming. Throughout Fremont’s travels he addresses the road conditions in his journals saying, “From the mouth of the Kansas to the Green River valley, west of the mountains, there is no such thing as a mountain road…” (As cited in Dary, 2004, p. 83). After his expedition was over, Fremont published his reports along with a map and was credited with preparing the way for many settlers to make their way west.