Today I was given a historic tour of Oregon City, the first capital of the state. Here I am looking quite dapper in my new cowboy ensemble. I also learned a few things!

Beginning in the year 1843, a constant stream of Americans began traveling the Oregon Trail to the new land of the west. Urged on by the government with promise of free land, thousands left their families and homes and came west. Most saw it as a great opportunity. The sacrifices and hardships made by these pioneers were severe.

Emigrants loaded their wagons and began their 2,000 mile journey across the country through untamed land. This is a photograph of one of the original wagons that made it's way west. The wagon box was extremely small and measured only four by ten feet. The pioneers loaded them with everything they would need to start a new life in a unknown land. They stacked these small wagons with food, tools, furniture and personal items. Many of the emigrants made the entire 2,000 mile journey on foot because there was rarely room left in the wagons to carry people. The Oregon Trail was extremely difficult. One in 10 died along the way. Oregon City, Oregon was the final destination for most of these pioneers.