Near Garden City in Rich County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

The First Oregon Trail

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 15, 2016

1. The First Oregon Trail Marker

Inscription. The first covered wagons came into the Rocky Mts. in 1830, they made their way as far west as Fort Washakie in Wyoming. Efforts were made to find passable wagon trails through the Mountains to the Pacific Coast, which goal was finally reached. At that time, the entire northwest Mt. area was known as Oregon Country & western travel was either to the "Oregon" or the "California" regions. While early maps give the probable location of the first Oregon Trail north of here, well marked wagon ruts & stories of Indians & Settlers indicate that the first wagon migration to "Oregon" followed the Southwesterly shores of Bear Lake. Leaving this valley through a canyon to the Northwest, then to the upper reaches of the Bear River. Additional color is given this belief because this was the site of an important trappers' rendezvous as early as 1827, & well marked trails were followed for many years in & out of this valley.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Oregon Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1830.

Location. 41° 58.507′ N, 111° 24.171′ W. Marker is near Garden City, Utah, in Rich County. It is on National Park Highway/Oregon Trail (U.S. 89), on the right when traveling

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south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1555 North Bear Lake Boulevard, Garden City UT 84028, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Utah’s Cache Valley

and in the Uinta Mountains.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and in Colorado Plateau.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Garden City Bell (approx. 2.1 miles away); Bear Lake (approx. 3.8 miles away in Idaho); Settlement of Fish Haven (approx. 4.4 miles away in Idaho); Fur Traders Rendezvous (approx. 8.4 miles away); Gutzon Borglum Monument (approx. 9½ miles away in Idaho); St. Charles (approx. 9.6 miles away in Idaho); Meadowville Pioneer Cemetery (approx. 9.7 miles away); Laketown Veteran's Memorial (approx. 11.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Garden City.

Additional keywords. Oregon Trail

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 15, 2016

2. The First Oregon Trail Marker

Full view from the pull-off, US 89

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 15, 2016

3. The First Oregon Trail Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,310 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 2, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.