Lincoln Highway Scenic & Historic Byway
Oregon Trail, NE

In 1840 there were only three states that existed west of the Mississippi River; within 40 years, the frontier was gone with the borders of the United States extending from the Atlantic to Pacific Oceans. Pioneers followed in the footsteps of traders, trappers, and early missionaries, and in 1843, almost 1,000 people had completed the trek to Oregon, ushering in a new era of U.S. history. The Oregon Trail traveled through four states and nearly 2,000 miles, providing access to states such as Utah, California, Nevada, and Colorado. Over 25 years, a half million people would cross the plains in covered wagons, many walking barefoot and experiencing the hardships and drudgery of traveling across the plains and mountains for months. One in ten would die along this journey but not from Native Americans, as many erroneously believe. More people died of cholera, poor sanitation, and accidental gunshots than anything else. The Oregon Trail was not one distinct laid out track, but many times the wagon trains would pass in columns that were hundreds of yards apart to cut down on dust. Different wagons would rotate in line so everyone had their fair share of dust. The Oregon Trail stayed to the south side of the Platte River, and relied on the abundant supply of water and grasses in the area to feed the livestock. In 1869 the transcontinental railroad did away with the need of the Oregon Trail, but this ushered in a new era in and of itself.