Thinking About Travel
What state does the Oregon Trail start in?
Missouri
How many pounds of goods could the wagon carry?
2,000 pounds
What type of wagon was used on the Oregon Trail?
Schooner Wagon
Were there many places to stop to buy goods along the Trail?
No, there were very few
What was learning on the Oregon Trail called?
Wagon school/ Being wagon schooled
How long did the trip take?
4-6 months
How many sets of clothes did most people bring with them?
Two, summer clothes and winter clothes
What was the term for groups of Wagons that traveled together?
Wagon Trains
What month did people begin the journey?
April
What time of day would kids have lessons on the trail?
At night when they stopped to rest
Name two reasons why people would have traveled the trail
A better life, start fresh, sense of adventure, drought, religious freedom, women could own land
Name two foods that might be taken on the Trail
Flour, crackers, bacon, sugar, coffee, tea, beans, rice, dried fruit, salt, pepper
How did people travel with the wagons?
They walked alongside them
What was the most challenging geography on the Trail?
Rivers
What were two chores kids would have on the trail?
Take care of animals, help with cooking and cleaning, take care of younger kids/ elderly
How many people made the journey on the Oregon Trail?
About 500,000 people
Name two survival items useful for the trip
Rifle, pistol, candles, shove, axe, hatchet, wagon repair tools
Why did the wagons have two different size wheels?
For balance and agility over rough roads
What were two reasons people may not have survived the trail?
Illness, accidents, starvation, bad weather, animal attacks
What was the name for the book sharing system on the Trail?
Traveling Library
How many miles did the Oregon Trail cover?
2,170 miles
How much did the trip cost?
About $800-$1,200
What was the name of the system for leaving messages on the Trail?
The Bone Express
What were two types of geography the Trail covered?
Prairie, desert, mountains, rivers
How many kids traveled the Oregon Trail?
About 40,000