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”
Tag Archives: Oregon Trail Diary
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”
On the Trail: Stop 2 – Parting of the Trails
About 40 miles from Independence – so 2-4 days depending on how fast they were traveling – came the first Parting of the Trails (and yes, there was more than one)! While there isn’t much to say about this area, it is still worth noting as the second most significant “stop” when following the trail,ContinueContinue reading “On the Trail: Stop 2 – Parting of the Trails”
On the Trail: Stop 1 – Lone Elm Park
I know, I know. Last month, I said the Mahaffie House was stop 1. But I’ve updated that to be a stop 1 alternative. Because, especially in this first part of the trail, the first major stop really depended on what jumping off town you chose, what route you decided to take, and even whatContinueContinue reading “On the Trail: Stop 1 – Lone Elm Park”
Forest Idylls 