In 1800, America’s western border reached only as far as the Mississippi River.  Following the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the country nearly doubled in size…pushing the nation’s western edge past the Rocky Mountains. President Thomas Jefferson implanted the idea of westward expansion.  In 1803, he commanded an exploratory team westward to find “the most direct and practical water communication across this continent for the purpose of commerce.”  Eventually, stretching from Missouri to the Oregon Territory, the Oregon Trail guided settlers through the wilderness and across the mountains to the Pacific coast.  Dr. Bateman will cover the historical events leading to the establishment of the Oregon/California Trail and its role locally. 

1. Mormon Migration (relationship to Western development)
2. McAuley Cutoff 1853
3. Biological urges along the OCT
4. Mormon/US conflict (Fort Lemhi)
5. Mormon migration into Idaho
6. Donner Party
7. Tour to Robert Stuart’s route and Bear Lake OCT

Class limit: 50