Average distance covered in a day was usually fifteen miles, but on a good day
twenty could
be traveled.
How far did settlers travel in a day?
Average distance covered in a day was usually
fifteen miles
, but on a good day twenty could be traveled. 7:30 am: Men ride ahead on horses with shovels to clear out a path, if needed.
How far did the pioneers travel each day ON the oregon TRAIL?
When pulled by teams of oxen or mules, they could creak their way toward Oregon Country at a pace of
around 15 to 20 miles a day
.
How far did pioneers travel?
Typically, the Trail was
2000 miles long
. How long did the journey take? How many miles would a typical wagon train travel per day? Wagons traveled between 10 and 20 miles per day, depending on weather, terrain, and other factors.
Why didn’t most pioneers ride in their wagons?
Teams of oxen or mules pulled the wagons along the dusty trail. People didn’t ride in the wagons often,
because they didn’t want to wear out their animals
. Instead they walked alongside them, getting just as dusty as the animals. The long journey was hard on both people and animals.
What did pioneers sleep on?
Some pioneers did sleep in
their wagons
. Some did camp on the ground—either in the open or sheltered under the wagon. But many used canvas tents. Despite the romantic depictions of the covered wagon in movies and on television, it would not have been very comfortable to travel in or sleep in the wagon.
What were the real enemies of the pioneers on the trail?
The real enemies of the pioneers were
cholera, poor sanitation and–surprisingly–accidental gunshots
. The first emigrants to go to Oregon in a covered wagon were Marcus and Narcissa Whitman (and Henry and Eliza Spalding) who made the trip in 1836.
How did pioneers make money?
Into wild country went hunters, trappers, fur traders, miners, frontier soldiers, surveyors, and pioneer farmers. The farmers
tamed the land
and made it productive.
What did pioneers eat?
The mainstays of a pioneer diet were simple fare like
potatoes, beans and rice
, hardtack (which is simply flour, water, 1 teaspoon each of salt and sugar, then baked), soda biscuits (flour, milk, one t. each of carbonate of soda and salt), Johnny cakes, cornbread, cornmeal mush, and bread.
What was the main item that pioneers brought with them in their covered wagons?
The pioneers would take with them as many supplies as possible. They took
cornmeal, bacon, eggs, potatoes, rice, beans, yeast, dried fruit, crackers, dried meat
, and a large barrel of water that was tied to the side of the wagon.
What were the two main causes of death along the trail?
Nearly one in ten who set off on the Oregon Trail did not survive. The two biggest causes of death were
disease and accidents
.
What type of animal did most pioneers use to pull their wagons?
Horses were very expensive so most pioneers used
oxen or mules
to pull their wagons. Both were strong, steady and able to cross rough terrain. Most families coming to Sutter’s Fort chose oxen because they were cheaper than horses or mules, and they could be eaten if food ran out!
What did the pioneers do for fun?
They had races and played games such as
Sheep Over the River, Hide and Seek, Pull the Rope, and Steal-Stick Duck-Stones
. They also sang and danced. They made dolls from corn cobs and rags and used a bladder balloon for ball games.
How much did a covered wagon cost in the 1800s?
It was costly—
as much as $1,000 for a family of four
. That fee included a wagon at about $100. Usually four or six animals had to pull the wagon.
How did settlers sleep?
The simplest beds were
rough bunks
, consisting of wooden planks supported by boards or pegs. These “sleeping shelves,” which merely kept the sleeper off the floor, were simply covered over with blankets and quilts.
Why did the emigrants have to wait for the grass to grow?
Timing. A timely departure for the overland trip was critical for the well-being of both the emigrants and their livestock. The
need for grass and forage to feed their stock along the trail
meant emigrants could not realistically leave until springtime, when the grasses were again growing.
