It normally took
four to six months
to traverse the length of the Oregon Trail with wagons pulled by oxen. About 80,000 pioneers used it to reach Oregon, and about 20,000 to Washington before the transcontinental railroad in 1869.
How long did the Pioneers take to travel to West?
It took
about five months
for a wagon train to make the journey. The first major migration took place in 1843 when a single large wagon train of 120 wagons and 500 people made the trip.
How long did it take pioneers to reach their destination?
It normally took
four to six months
to traverse the length of the California Trail
How long did it take pioneers to travel the Oregon Trail?
Perhaps some 300,000 to 400,000 people used it during its heyday from the mid-1840s to the late 1860s, and possibly a half million traversed it overall, covering an average of 15 to 20 miles (24 to 32 km) per day; most completed their journeys in
four to five months
.
How far did the pioneers travel each day?
Pioneers traveling in wagon trains generally made
about 15 miles each day
.
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.
How much did a 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.
Where did pioneers sleep?
Shucks or hay or leaves were placed upon the shelves supported by these crude frames. Most pioneers spent the days in grueling labor so they could rest well about anywhere. That explains how they were able to sleep on such
crude beds
.
What percent of pioneers died on the Oregon Trail?
About
five percent
of pioneers died on the Oregon-California-Mormon trails.
Does the Oregon Trail still exist?
The 2,000-mile Oregon Trail was used by pioneers headed west from Missouri to find fertile lands. Today,
travelers can follow the trail along Route 66 or Routes 2 and 30
.
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 many Americans died on the Oregon Trail?
Combined with accidents, drowning at dangerous river crossings, and other illnesses,
at least 20,000 people
died along the Oregon Trail. Most trailside graves are unknown, as burials were quick and the wagon trains moved on.
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.
Why did pioneers circle their wagons at night?
While pioneer trains did circle their wagons at night, it was
mostly to keep their draft animals from wandering off
, not protect against an ambush. Indians were more likely to be allies and trading partners than adversaries, and many early wagon trains made use of Pawnee and Shoshone trail guides.
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
.
