The articles are arranged somewhat in a chronological order in this volume. The Peoria Party, though small, consisted of the first individuals taking an overland route from the United States for the primary purpose of establishing a new home in the Pacific Northwest. They experienced the route in 1839-40 while it was still being used predominantly by Native Americans and fur trapping parties. The story of their adventures and determination is captivating. William Hatchette Vaughan was part of the Great Migration of 1843 when approximately 1,000 persons for the first time took wagons all the way from the United States to western Oregon. His future wife, Susan Officer, survived the extreme hardships of the Meeks Party of 1845. The Vaughans were the first non-Indian settlers of the Molalla area of the Willamette Valley, establishing a donation land claim there. The third contribution provides a very handy compilation and synthesis of Oregon Trail information, including the political, economic and social ramifications of this major event in United States history. It should be useful to readers for a number of purposes.
The Bureau of Land Management is pleased to provide these articles as a concluding contribution toward the 1993 Oregon Trail Sesquicentennial celebration. Thanks to Virginia Hokkanen who provided considerable assistance in preparation of this document.