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Mill Creek - Orientation Exhibit Audio Description
Transcript
Mill Creek Orientation Panel
In front of you, is a panel 3 feet wide by 4 feet tall, and about 3 feet off the ground. This panel sits on one side of a paved pathway that winds through this park and continues south to McCoy Park. On the far side of the panels the view looks out over grassy lawns, playing fields and scattered trees in the park. Directly behind you there is an octagonal covered pavilion with picnic tables.
Text at the top of the panel reads, "Follow along the same path traveled by thousands of homesteaders, prospectors, and entrepreneurs. The Missouri River carried them to the Upper Independence landing two miles north of here. With their wagons loaded, they headed to town in Independence for final preparations. These were the first miles of the overland journey to California, Oregon, and Santa Fe."
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Down the right side of the panel is a map centered on this location and stretching from near the Missouri River in the north and into the town of Independence in the south. Dotted and dashed lines going from top to bottom mark the paths of the historic trails that passed within a quarter mile, or half a kilometer, on either side of this location. Four trail-related sites are indicated by small numbers with descriptions down the left side. Number one at the top near the river is the Upper Independence Landing, or Wayne City, Overlook. A small photograph shows an asphalt trail leading to the bank overlooking the river with several exhibits. Text to the right of the photo reads, "This was the closest landing to Independence for emigrants arriving by steamboat. The site is on private land, and is not open to visitors. The short trail leads to a scenic overlook of the Missouri River, and exhibits describing this starting point of the emigrants’ overland journey.
Site number 2 is your current location at Mill Creek Park near the center of the map. A photograph to the left shows the covered picnic pavilion just behind you. Text to the right of the photo reads, "This park is situated between the historic routes of the three overland trails. Today, visitors can enjoy sports fields, picnic shelters, and play areas. Follow the paved trail south to parallel the original trail routes established during the 1800s. The paved path remains relatively flat leading to McCoy Park."
Site number three is directly south of your current location in another green area on the map indicating another park. This is McCoy Park. A small photograph shows several benches and exhibit signs underneath a roofed pavilion. The caption identifies these as a Santa Fe Trail exhibit. Text to the left reads, "Wagons, loaded with freight bound for Santa Fe, once crossed this land. Today visitors can learn about the trails from exhibits here, while also enjoying this universally-inclusive park. Follow the trail to the hexagon shelter at the corner of W. College St. and N. Pleasant St. where you can view the Santa Fe Trail exhibits. Distance to the exhibit shelter: 1 mile (1.6 km)"
Site number four is near the bottom of the map and includes several sites in historic downtown Independence. At left are photographs of three of those sites. At the top is a picture of the Harry S Truman National Historic Site, a two-story brick building on a street corner. Below that is a photograph of Independence Square Historic Truman Courthouse, a large brick building with two main stories, a colonnaded entrance, and a white bell tower on top. To the right of that is the National Frontier Trails Museum, a brick building with white square pillars and horizontal beams in front. Text to the right reads, "Independence is the official start of the Oregon Trail. Travelers on all three trails outfitted their wagons here through much of the emigration era. Continue south from McCoy Park. Follow sidewalks to Historic Independence Square, where the historic trails come together on the map. Several sites are within walking distance of the Square. Distance to the Historic Independence Square: 1.6 miles (2.6 km)."
At the bottom left of the panel are images of the signs for each of the National Trails that pass through this area. The California Trail has a trail emblem with a yoke for a pair of oxen on it. The Oregon Trail emblem features a covered wagon. The Santa Fe Trail emblem has a covered wagon pulled by a team of oxen. The caption reads, "Look for these signs to follow the routes of the California, Oregon, and Santa Fe national historic trails."
Text in the bottom right gives information on the trail you are standing on. It reads, "The Trail Ahead. Surface: Asphalt/Concrete. Accessible: Yes. Activities: Walking, Running, & Biking. Locations: Connects Mill Creek Park. with McCoy Park. Total Distance: 1 mile (1.6 km). Continue along sidewalks for another 0.6 miles (1 km) to reach Historic Independence Square. For more information: visitindependence.com/things-to-do/" There is also a map of the United States showing the paths of the Oregon Trail (1841-1848), marked in yellow and going from Independence to Portland Oregon; The California Trail (1841-1869), marked in red and going from Independence to California with multiple branches extending into northern California and up in Oregon; and the Santa Fe Trail (1821-1880), marked in purple and going from Independence to Santa Fe, New Mexico. The caption reads, "The National Park Service administers the Santa Fe, Oregon, and California national historic trails to foster trail preservation and public use. Visit go.nps.gov/NationalHistoricTrails to find out more about trail sites you can visit."
Across the top of the panel is a black bar. At the left end text reads "Mill Creek." At the right end is the logo and text for the Oregon, California, and Santa Fe national historic trails. Other text reads, "City of Independence"
End of Description.
Description
Listen to the audio description of the Mill Creek - Orientation exhibit.
Date Created
08/30/2021
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