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The Oregon Trail

uch of the route that became pioneer motorists; however, with the
The Oregon Trail was estab- creation of a federal highway system,
Mlished by Lewis and Clark the Trail was broken down into over
between 1803 and 1806, but it was the 10 different routes that connect the
missionaries, fur traders, and trappers states and branch out towards differ-
that made the route a well-worn path ent cities along its path. Oregon is the
for travelers on foot or horseback from only state left that uses the name to
about 1811 to 1840. refer to its stretch of roadway along
By the time the first migrant wagon the Trail. Interstate 84 east of U.S.
train was organized in Independence, Route 730 is named the Old Oregon
Missouri in 1836, a wagon trail had Trail Highway.
been cleared along the route through In 1981, the National Park Service
to Fort Hall, Idaho, and eventually all named The Oregon Trail a National
the way through to the Willamette Valley in Oregon. From 1843 until Historic Trail and continues to educate the public on its importance.
the 1860s, some 400,000 men, women, and children followed the Although current-day tourists cannot travel the exact path of The
2,000-mile Oregon trail route from the eastern end of Missouri to the Oregon Trail, you can piece together a road trip that brings you
western end of Oregon in a mass migration that drove the 19th-century through its states with easy access to historic sites along the way.
settlement of the American West. Plan to dedicate at least two weeks to this adventure to make sure
As the Oregon Trail gained popularity, it wasn’t unusual for thou- you can enjoy the incredible National Parks, museums, and attractions
sands of pioneers to be on the path at the same time, especially during you'll see along the way, and the detours you might be inspired to take;
the California Gold Rush. Depending on the terrain, wagons traveled three weeks if you want to start your road trip in the East and follow
side by side or single file. With this type of traffic jam, it could take Route 20 to make the connection in Missouri.
travelers roughly four months to make the arduous and dangerous The landscape across Oregon, Idaho, and Wyoming along US-20
cross-country journey in a covered wagon. According to the Oregon and a parallel highway, US-26, is still as lonesome as it was more than
California Trails Association, almost one in ten who embarked on the 150 years ago when pioneer families traveled the open plains. Detours
trail didn’t survive. to Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone National Parks, Field of Dreams
By 1890, the railroads had all but eliminated the need to journey Movie Site, the National Farm Toy Museum (it houses over 30,000
thousands of miles in a covered wagon. By the time the automobile miniature tractors and plows!), and Columbia Gorge, are worth factor-
came into popularity, the Trail had lost all but its historical relevance. ing into your travel plans.
In the early days of auto travel, an auto trail was created from the To help you explore your travel route west along the Trail, visit
route and marked by colorful bands on telephone poles to help direct www.roadtripusa.com/the-oregon-trail

Virginia Colonial History Tour

uring the founding years of our ings preserved to the year 1799, the last
Democracy, Virginia was home year of George Washington’s life.
Dto some of its most famous Montpelier is the home of our fourth
leaders. Their homes, defining Southern President, James Madison, and his wife,
plantation living, architecture, and Dolley. Originally built in 1732 by his
culture, today stand as a tribute to their grandfather, expanded in 1740 by his
Master and testament to our past. father, and then enhanced by Madison
Driving south through Washington, and his wife in the late 1790s, and then
D.C., into Virginia begins a journey into again in 1809-1812,. The house and
America’s Colonial past. While there are grounds today offer visitors insights
several places to stop, a road trip through into the Madison family and the role
our founding past must include a visit to James Madison played in framing our
Colonial Williamsburg, the largest out- Constitution. Artifacts from archeo-
door living museum in the country. Here logical digs, eight miles of well-marked
you can literally walk back in time to experience life in Colonial America walking trails, private house tours, and educational programming bring
through this working Village’s many buildings and occupations, art this historic house to life.
history museum, demonstrations, educational programming, and Monticello, the primary home and plantation of our third American
special events. President, Thomas Jefferson, is located in Charlottesville. Designed and
Next is Historic Jamestowne, home to the ruins of the first permanent redesigned and built and rebuilt over forty years, Monticello is a reflection
English settlement in North America. It includes the remains of 18th-cen- of Jefferson’s many passions. Architecturally, the house is one of the finest
tury Ambler Mansion, artifacts from the region’s settlers, and the nearby examples of the early Classical Revival style in the United States. His gar-
Jamestown Rediscovery, a living-history museum with recreations of a dens were a botanic showpiece, and his library was considered one of the
1610 fort and a Powhatan Indian village. greatest and most extensive in the Colonies. Tour the house and outbuild-
Located just 13 miles south of Washington, D.C. is Mount Vernon, ings, gardens, Jefferson’s Gravesite, and the Burial Ground for Enslaved
the beloved family home and plantation of George and Martha People at Monticello.
Washington. This American landmark on the banks of the Potomac River Many of these historic sites are just starting to re-open and in the
belonged to the Washington family dating back to 1674. Today, guests coming months may not have all inside spaces open to the public.
can tour the historic mansion and over a dozen historic outbuildings, walk Many programs, special events, and exhibits may not be taking place,
the estate’s four separate gardens, pay respects at the family burial vault, as well. Check a site’s website before getting on the road for the most
visit the Washington Library, and experience stately rooms and outbuild- updated visitor information.

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