Crossing into Kansas, Hollenberg Ranch/Station is a later stop on the Oregon/California Trail. Later as in, not established until 1857 (some sources say 1858, but most agree on 1857), so near the end of the peak of the trail traffic. Some original sources called it Cottonwood station, since it was near Cottonwood creek. The HollenbergsContinueContinue reading “On the Trail: Stop 7 – Hollenberg Ranch”
Tag Archives: Kansas
On the Trail: Stop 6 – Alcove Spring
One of my absolute favorite stops! Probably because I heard about it so much during my research. Then again, even the National Park Service Auto Tour Guide mentions that it “has been called the most significant historic site on the Oregon Trail within the State of Kansas.” Somewhere between 165 and 179 miles from IndependenceContinueContinue reading “On the Trail: Stop 6 – Alcove Spring”
On the Trail: Stop 5 – Red Vermillion
If there is one thing that is mentioned in most guidebooks and diaries, it is the Vermillion River! It was about a day’s travel from the St. Mary’s Mission or 120 miles from Independence. A major river crossing for the emigrants, it provided excellent camping, was a good source of wood and water, and wasContinueContinue reading “On the Trail: Stop 5 – Red Vermillion”
On the Trail: Stop 4 – St. Mary’s Mission
About fifty miles past the Blue Mound – so probably approximately a week after leaving Independence, after crossing the Kansas River, travelers might stop by St. Mary’s Mission. I haven’t found a ton of information on the Mission as it relates to the trail, but it was occasionally mentioned in diaries and the National ParkContinueContinue reading “On the Trail: Stop 4 – St. Mary’s Mission”
On the Trail: Stop 3 – Blue Mound
Not much past the Parting of the Trails, so just a few days from Independence, came the first real landmark often mentioned in diaries – the Blue Mound. From our perspective, it isn’t much to see, but for the travelers, it was a visible milestone on the trail. According to Traveling the Oregon Trail, “AlthoughContinueContinue reading “On the Trail: Stop 3 – Blue Mound”
Forest Idylls 