Near Westmoreland in Pottawatomie County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Wagons Fording Rock Creek

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 18, 2012

1. Wagons Fording Rock Creek Marker

Inscription.

There were many unpredictable hazards on the trail as the wagon trains moved westward. The trail itself presented the worst problems. Streams had no bridges and had to be forded. Their shifting bottoms with pockets of quicksand were dangerous. When banks were slippery, people stood in the water and pushed as the oxen pulled the wagon. When rivers were wide, barges were made to ferry goods across. There was always the fear that the oxen would drown and the wagons be destroyed.

After crossing Rock Creek the trail angles slightly off to the west, then turns to parallel the highway about a block to the west, all through the town of Westmoreland.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Oregon Trail series list.

Location. 39° 23.035′ N, 96° 24.381′ W. Marker is near Westmoreland, Kansas, in Pottawatomie County. Marker is on The Road to Oz Highway (State Highway 99), on the left when traveling south. Marker is in Oregon Trail Park, about 200 feet south of Rock Creek. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Westmoreland KS 66549, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker

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. Burial Site of Oregon Trail Traveler (within shouting distance of this marker); Archeological Site 14-PO1311 (within shouting distance of this marker); Route of the Oregon Trail (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Wagon & Team • Supplies Needed (about 300 feet away); One Step at a Time (about 300 feet away); The Long Journey (about 300 feet away); Tallgrass Prairie (about 400 feet away); Scott Spring (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Westmoreland.

Also see . . .
1. Oregon National Historic Trail. (Submitted on February 21, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Oregon-California Trails Association. (Submitted on February 21, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. National Oregon/California Trail Center at Montpelier, Idaho. (Submitted on February 21, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 18, 2012

2. Wagons Fording Rock Creek Marker

Oregon Trail Park Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr.

3. Oregon Trail Park Sign

Covered Wagon in Oregon Trail Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr.

4. Covered Wagon in Oregon Trail Park

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on February 21, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 400 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 21, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on February 19, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 4. submitted on February 20, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.