The South Pass over the Continential Divide was reached by easy grades. Here the trail separated in crossing Green River Basin. The oldest and most direct route was the Sublette Cut-off, another was the detour to Fort Bridger, and the last the Lander Cut-off in 1859. This scene shows South Pass and the emigrant trains in three lines with cattle and other livestock in between as a means of defense against marauding Indians.
The upper California crossing of the South Fort to the Platte River. At the forks of the Platte the Oregon Trail crossed the South Fork to the North Platte between the Lower and Upper California Crossings; always difficult either from quicksand or high water.
Fort Bridger was built in 1845 by the old scout, Jim Bridger, as a relief station for emigrants. From the time of the Mormon War in 1857 it was occupied by the United State Army as a military post. The Mormon or Salt Lake Trail here leaves the Oregon Trail.
Various kinds of transportation on the Oregon Trail. Note different types of vehicles. St. Louis, for many years, was the point of departure for the northwest. The first wagon train to cross the plains to the Rocky Mountains left there April 10, 1830. Later with the introduction of steamboats on the Missouri River, Independence and Westport were the principal rendezvous for Santa Fee and Oregon Trails. Military expeditions went out from Fort Leavenworth and the Pony Express service from St. Joseph.
One of the first wagon trains over the Oregon Trail. The Missouri River was the first route of trappers and explorers to the far Northwest and Council Bluffs a noted place for treaties with Indians. When the Platte Valley became the route Council Bluffs (Kanesville) was an important crossing and rendezvous in the Mormon migration of 1847. Later, Nebraska City was a favorite point of departure for both emigrant and freighting outfits.
