The Oregon Trail

Directions: You are going on a scavenger hunt. You are trying to hunt down information on the Oregon Trail and the Donner Party. Use the Internet sites listed below to find the answers to the following questions. 

1. Who were the first 2 emigrants to travel the Oregon Trail?
   
2. What were the 3 biggest problems faced by travelers on the trail?
   
3. Approximately how long (in miles) was the trail?
   
4. What brought an end to the "great migration?"
   
5. What was the most popular "jumping off" city?
   
6. What did many travelers use to haul the covered wagons on their journey west?
   
7. Because many wagons were overloaded many travelers had to make the journey on _______________.
   
8. What 2 accidents claimed the lives of many people along the Oregon Trail?
   
9. Which disease claimed the lives of many travelers along the trail?
   
10. Why did travelers "circle the wagons?"
    
11. Describe relations between Native Americans and travelers along the Oregon Trail.
    
12. What famous landmark on the Oregon Trail is this?

13. Which historic landmark is this? What date did many travelers reach this spot?

14. Why was this famous landmark the most important landmark along the Oregon Trail?

15. How many acres of land were males granted upon reaching this end point of the trail?
    
16. Click on the Fantastic Facts About the Oregon Trail links to learn about the following:
    
    1. Weird wagons
    2. Case of the confused mapmaker
    3. Buried alive
    4. The $100 glass of water
    5. The cow that started a war
    6. Ezra Meeker: hero or nut?
    7. Fun with buffalo dung
    8. Million dollar fruit-tree wagon
    9. A most unusual honeymoon
    10. The route to Oregon via Antarctica

Now go to the Donner Party site to find out more about them.

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