Cottage Grove in Lane County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)

A Trail by Any Other Name

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 22, 2017

1. A Trail by Any Other Name Marker

Inscription. In 1846 Levi Scott, together with Jesse and Lindsay Applegate, led an expedition that established the southern route to Oregon from Ft. Hall, Idaho. He was also elected to guide the first emigrants over the new route. Scott's significant role in the development of this emigrant trail has led some historians to argue that it should be called the Scott Trail - others have suggested the Scott-Applegate Trail. Jesse Applegate, Scott's good friend and captain of the exploring party, simply called it the "Southern Route," The question of its name remains a matter of argument.
Levi Scott (1797-1890) emigrated to Polk County in 1844. Following efforts to establish a southern route to Oregon, Scott served in the Cayuse Indian War. In 1848 he settled with his family in nearby Scotts Valley. Sensing the prospects of supplying the interior by pack trail, in 1850 Scott platted Scottsburg at the head of navigation on the Umpqua estuary.

In May, 1847, Levi Scott led a company of twenty men, destined for the states. over the Applegate route, and guided a portion of the immigrants of the following autumn into the Willamette Valley in good season and in goso condition.... This expedition established the reputation of the southern route; and the legislature of that year passed an act for its improvement, making Levi Scott commissioner,
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and allowing him to collect a small toll as compensation for this services. -- Elwood Evans, History of the Pacific Northwest (1889)

Erected by Applegate Trail Coalition.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Applegate Trail series list.

Location. 43° 47.855′ N, 123° 3.887′ W. Marker is in Cottage Grove, Oregon, in Lane County. It is on North River Road near West Main Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 19 North River Road, Cottage Grove OR 97424, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Oregon’s Willamette Valley.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast,

in the Pacific Northwest,

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

in the Cascade Range,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Applegate Trail - Southern Route to Oregon (here, next to this marker); The Changing Trail to Oregon (here, next to this marker); Crossing the Calapooya Mountains (here, next to this marker); River Road (here, next to this marker); Cottage Grove Veterans Memorial (here, next to this marker); The Centennial Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Cottage Grove Historical Museum (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Cottage Grove Museum (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cottage Grove.

More about this marker. This

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 22, 2017

2. A Trail by Any Other Name Marker

The marker is at the center.

marker is located in Veterans Park.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 19, 2018. It was originally submitted on January 18, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 385 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 18, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.