The Oregon Trail and Oregon Fever
By Camden Czech
The Oregon Trail and Oregon Fever
In 1836, the first settlers started to migrate west toward the Oregon Territory. The trail led from Independence, Missouri, all the way to the Oregon Territory. The journey was dangerous, with the Rocky Mountains and long plains with little water. Missionaries Marcus and Narcissa Whitman were among the first to journey into this virtually unknown land. Although they failed at converting the Native Americans in the region, they spread the word about the rich soil and the beauty of the area. Soon, thousands and thousands of Americans were following the Whitmans into the Oregon Territory. This became known as the Oregon Fever. It helped to spread the population out, and grow the nation in ways that people back then could not even imagine.