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944 photos
This gallery samples the Oregon, California and Mormon Trails east to west.

The OR-CA Trails began in or near Independence MO, but there were other departure points. The Santa Fe Trail overlapped for a short distance into eastern KS.

The Pony Express used part of the trails in 1860-61 and landscape shots of contemporary Re-Rides are included. The Lincoln Highway later incorporated trail segments.

The Mormon Trail and Hastings Cutoff are combined at the end. Mormon-specific photos include Nauvoo and Carthage IL, Martin's Cove WY and UT.

Most emigrants experienced the trails in bright mid-day sun and heat. This gallery generally shows things in "ordinary" light. Scenes are far more attractive near sunrise or sunset.

Related images are in the Vanishing America, Pony Express, Santa Fe Trail, Twin Streaks of Rust, Donner Pass, St. Joseph MO and Lincoln Highway galleries. Mormon images from UT are in the Lincoln Highway UTAH and Salt Lake City galleries.

These images are only offered here. The copyright watermark does not appear.

Categories & Keywords
Category:Transportation
Subcategory:
Subcategory Detail:
Keywords:American West, California Trail, Manifest Destiny, Oregon Trail, Pioneer Days, Pioneer Trail, Wagon Trail, Western Migration

COVERED WAGON AT SUNSET (Gering NE)Joint OR-CA Trail SpacerMISLEADING MARKER-FRONT (Independence MO)MISLEADING MARKER-FRONT DETAIL (Independence MO)MISLEADING MARKER-BACK (Independence MO)WAYNE CITY OVERLOOK (nr Independence MO)HAPPY TRAILS (nr Independence MO)JIM BRIDGER GRAVESTONE #1 (Independence MO)JIM BRIDGER GRAVESTONE #2 (Independence MO)INDEPENDENCE #1 (Independence MO)INDEPENDENCE #2 (Independence MO)INDEPENDENCE #3 (Independence MO)INDEPENDENCE #4 (Independence MO)INDEPENDENCE #5 (Independence MO)INDEPENDENCE #6 (Independence MO)INDEPENDENCE #8 (Independence MO)INDEPENDENCE #9 (Independence MO)INDEPENDENCE #10 (Independence MO)INDEPENDENCE #11 (Independence MO)INDEPENDENCE #12 (Independence MO)