Oregon City in Clackamas County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)

Wagons

Homes Away From Home

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 25, 2017

1. Wagons Marker

Captions: (top) Typical Wagon Dimensions: Total Length -- 23 feet; Total Height -- 10 feet; Weight -- 1290 pounds; Wagon Box Height -- 30 inches; Wagon Box Length -- 12 feet; Wagon Box Width -- 30 inches; Front Wheel Diameter -- 44 inches; Rear Wheel Diameter -- 50 inches.; (photograph of wagon with various parts labeled; click on the image to enlarge it); (center right) Unusually crowded wagon interior.

Inscription. Letters in newspapers, emigrant guide-books, and word of mouth gave counsel on overland travel. Emigrants commonly used farm wagons - simple, well-made, and utilitarian. Many were home-made or commission-built by local wagon makers. Some had custom features: a fold-out cooking kit at the rear; pine boxes for storing food and belongings; cloth pockets for personal possessions. In 1852 Margaret Drink had an inflatable air mattress which she laid out each night beneath the arched canvas covers of the wagon bows.
"Persons should recollect that every thing in the outfit should be as light as the required strength will permit; no useless trumpery should be taken," advised Joel Palmer, an emigrant of 1845. The wagon and oxen were critical ingredients in the migration of families. They carried the goods, hopes, and dreams of the pioneer generation.

"For those who fit out but one wagon, it is not safe to start with less than four yoke of oxen, as they are liable to get lame, have sore necks, or stray away." -- Joel Palmer, Journal of Travels (1847)

Erected by End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers

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. In addition, it is included in the Oregon Trail series list.

Location. 45° 21.861′ N, 122° 35.686′ W. Marker is in Oregon City, Oregon, in Clackamas County. Marker can be reached from Washington Street near Abernethy Road when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1726 Washington Street, Oregon City OR 97045, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Trail of Tears (here, next to this marker); Clackamas Chinook (here, next to this marker); Medorem Crawford (a few steps from this marker); To The Banks Of The Willamette (a few steps from this marker); Sidney W. Moss (a few steps from this marker); Dr. John McLoughlin (a few steps from this marker); Oregon (a few steps from this marker); Earthquakes and Mountain Fog (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oregon City.

More about this marker. This marker is located next to the End Of Oregon Trail Interpretive Center facing outward towards Abernethy Green.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 25, 2017

2. Wagons Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 9, 2018. It was originally submitted on February 16, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 246 times since then and 22 times this year. Last updated on March 9, 2018, by T. Patton of Jefferson, Georgia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 16, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.