Audio
Emigrant Trails
Transcript
The most prominent landform seen here, Scotts Bluff, guided emigrants of all walks of life westward across the plains to what they hoped was a better life in Oregon, California, or Utah. Mitchell Pass, just beyond the replica wagons, represented the completion of 1/3 of their four-to-six-month journey. Today it takes 33 hours at 60 miles an hour to travel the 2,000 mile trail the emigrants walked. Mitchell Pass often experienced bottleneck traffic as wagons would funnel through this narrow passage. Much like our replica wagons are lined up, wagons along the trail would have to wait their turn to continue West. You may want to pick up the Wagons of the Emigrant Trails brochure. Ask the park ranger at the visitor center information desk for a copy.
If you’re here between Memorial Day and Labor Day, you will see a Mormon handcart. The Mormon handcart was used by recently converted Mormons just arriving to the United States who could not afford to purchase a wagon. Most Mormons traveled from the Omaha/Council Bluffs area, but others traveled from St. Joseph or Kansas City. When heading to Utah, Mormons generally used the Mormon Trail on the north side of the North Platte River. If they happened to start their journey west on the south side of the river, they tended to stay on that side following the Oregon Trail. The Mormon handcart movement took place between 1856 and 1860. These carts were significantly smaller than a wagon. Therefore, the Mormon Church set restrictions on the weight of the possessions that converts were allowed to pack.
A little further ahead, you’ll have a better view of the Studebaker and Murphy wagons. Listen to the next stop to hear more about these mini vans of the prairie.
Description
Stop 8 of the Oregon Trail Pathway Audio Tour.
Credit
Audio recording by Ray Richards
Date Created
07/22/2024
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