If you were here in the late 1860's, this quiet setting would be alive with noises from livestock, people, wagons, and water. As you continue along the trail, imagine sights and sounds of busy emigrants crossing the river and camping here.
A . . . — — Map (db m96869) HM
With an abundant supply of water, grass, and wood, many emigrants camped at least one night at the New Fork River. Laying over allowed emigrants to catch up on chores, rest and even play.
We busy ourselves in various ways - some get a fine . . . — — Map (db m100363) HM
The Lander Trail, part of the Congressionally designated California National Historic Trail, was a shortcut of the main emigrant trails to California and Oregon, as well as to the new gold fields in Montana and Idaho. Emigrants started their . . . — — Map (db m96954) HM
The swale (small trench) running left to right in front of you is a remnant of the old Lander Trail. It is unknown if this swale formed by repeated wagon use or during trail construction. Unlike all previous western emigrant trails - which evolved . . . — — Map (db m96874) HM
Frederick Lander carefully chose this place for the trail to cross the New Fork River. An island once split the river in two channels, allowing emigrants to ford without a bridge or ferry.
There is a large island in the centre (sic), and the . . . — — Map (db m96872) HM
In April 1862 the Thomas Paul family left Fremont, Iowa, for Washington Territory. Mrs. Elizabeth Mortimore Paul, who was pregnant, had a difficult time on the journey west, and here on July 27, 1862, age 32, she died giving birth to a daughter. . . . — — Map (db m179898) HM
In 1859 during the first year of use, over 13,000 emigrants and 19,000 head of stock passed along the Lander Cut-Off. This area known as LaBarge Meadows was a favorite resting place of the pioneers. The abundant grass provided forage for the large . . . — — Map (db m179895) HM
At this point the pioneers began their ascent of the mountains, having traveled 106 miles since leaving the main road. The graves nearby are those of emigrants left behind as a result of hardships, accidents and disease. Death was a frequent visitor . . . — — Map (db m180088) HM
In about 1890 an immigrant wagon tipped over at this crossing, A small girl was drowned and was buried in this vicinity. The exact location of garage is unknown. — — Map (db m179902) HM
The Lander Road or "Trail" crosses the New Fork River just beyond this sign. Here, the river was shallow enough to allow emigrant wagons to ford the river without aid of a ferry. The good water, livestock feed, and firewood made this a popular . . . — — Map (db m180093) HM
You are standing just north of the route taken by thousands of people, cattle and horses migrating west on the Lander Cut-off, the northern fork of the Oregon Trail, starting in 1858. None settled here then. By the late 1870s, cattle from the west . . . — — Map (db m85813) HM
The water runoff from nearby mountains changes seasonally and from year to year. Emigrants used a variety of methods for crossing, depending on how much water flowed in the New Fork River.
Fording the New Fork: Low Water Crossing . . . — — Map (db m96871) HM
The Lander Cut-Off of the Oregon Trail was constructed in 1858. It was the first federally funded road west of the Mississippi River. After leaving the original Oregon Trail near South Pass, the Lander Cut-Off crossed this mountainous region and . . . — — Map (db m180089) HM
Livestock outnumbered emigrants five to one on the Lander Trail. A typical emigrant wagon needed four mules or 4-6 oxen to pull a wagon with up to 2,000 pounds of supplies. Emigrants also brought riding horses, milk cows, beef cattle, and even . . . — — Map (db m100366) HM