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12590_Santa Fe Gardener 1/2 - XT90 6. Visit the -Northwest 36 x 48

Oregon and Santa Fe Association National Historic Trails -California Trails Association Visit The Trails - Northwest City of Gardner Oregon and California Trails

A Look Back In Time The Oregon and California trails were pathways for the greatest mass migration in American history. From the late 1820s to the 1870s, an estimated 300,000 fur traders, mis­ sionaries, settlers, and gold seekers followed these trails. In the and 1850s, emigrants from the eastern and central United States walked 2,000 miles from the River landings to fertile Oregon farmlands or California goldfields.

Once-friendly tribes watched in mounting anger as emigrants impacted the game, grass, water and wood. The rich and varied cultures of the Indians were changed forever.

Visiting the National Historic Trails Today

BRITISH NORTH A\1ERI CA ' l -- - ' MINNESOTI>. ' tERRl10RY •1 Union Town/Herbert Reinhard •2 St. Marys Mission •3 Indian Pay Station Historic •4 Red Vermillion Crossing/Vieux ( .,. Green Memorial Wildlife Park Site and Museum Cemetery/ Cemetery , , This site was an important stop­ .1, An Oregon Trail village from This Indian Agency served to Louis Vieux, a Potawatomi ~. ping point for trail emigrants. ,. 1848-1859. The 83-acre park Across the highway is a public meet the terms of the 1861 Indian, established a toll bridge preserves an Oregon Trail trace, rest stop with Oregon Trail Treaty with the Potawatom i here in 1847. In 1849, members FORT• EARNY pioneer graves, and restored exhibits. Indians. Emigrant wagon trains of a large camped bluestem prairie and native stopped here to rest, change by the creek were struck by woodlands. livestock,. and make wagon cholera, leaving 50 emigrants , repairs. dead within a week. NE.W MEXICO ERRITORY VNORG/\MIZED 1[~.RITOR)'

. s, The Oregon and California trails had · •• :s-ou ~ /4.,'.-• ••• ::.j)/' •••••• :.r • • • • ""Is : significant roles in the history of the United • • • • • States, and were designated by Congress as • • national historic trails. The National Park St Joseph·:- o\~6 •* Service partners with site owners to preserve o~'t \.!'~ t ,.,,tl-f~ : i;;· the trail and to develop opportunities for ti-'"~ : <,; 10 Kilometers ·----- •... · c.:0 0 50 •. ..., • . visitor use and enjoyment. 0 10 M iles 50 • • •• :xi •• '2.' •• (I) ·. • .... YOU ARE • The map and photographs here are a • • • • .• HERE • sampling of the trail sites you can explore. • Manhattanej' Sa/inf' R. For maps and further information about IVer these trails, visit: Junction City River • Gardner Museum, Gardner 5alina • Watkins Community Museum of

History, Lawrence 56 • Museum of History, Topeka

Look for the Oregon and California National Historic Trails' official logos, as well as signing for the Auto Tour Route. This auto­ mobile tour route parallels the trails via modern high­ ways and provides •5 Scott Spring/Oregon Trail Park •6 Lower Crossing on the Big Blue •7 Alcove Spring •8 Marshall's directional signing This site was another favorite This site was thought to be an This scenic spring was a popular This was one of three major to trail sites. campground for emigrants. alternate river crossing used in campsite mentioned in many river crossings on the St. Joseph Although the spring itself is later years of the trail. A way­ emigrant journals. It is one of Road to California. A roadside on private property, there is a side exhibit explains how wagon the most significant historic park nearby offers wayside roadside pullout just south of trains dealt with crossing steep sites on the Oregon Trail in exhibits and a reconstructed the site, and a public park with river embankments. Kansas. wagon ferry. trail sculptures and displays.