Oregon ancestry - The Oregon Trail

  I am a direct descendant of 1853 pioneer, Dr. Madison Brantley Morris. It has been written that he made a total of 6 trips along the trail, assisting settlers, fighting Indians, and working as part of the Underground Railroad. To read biographical information on my 3rd Great Grandfather, click here.

  One of the biggest causes for the huge overland migration called the Oregon Trail was the offer of free land. In 1843, Married couples were allowed to claim up to 640 acres, and single persons could claim up to 340 acres. In 1848, the US government officially declared the Oregon Country a U. S. territory. The Donation Land Act of 1850 recognized earlier land claims, but limited future claims to 320 acres for married couples, and 160 acres for single persons. The settlers were required to maintain a four year residence on the property, and they had to cultivate the land. After 1854, the land was no longer free, but was affordable at $1.25 an acre. Oregon achieved Statehood on February 14, 1859.

  This, in combination with opportunities for gold mining, and the economy that traveled with that industry, (Merchants to sell products to the miners, restaurants, hotels, prostitution ~ yes, it was an industry, laundry services, etc.) was plenty enough reason to pack what you could carry and start a new life on the West Coast. Also note, there was another major trail to California that forked off, bypassing Oregon completely at Fort Hall, (near present day Pocatello, Idaho) and going through Nevada.

  I live in Estacada, Oregon, which is very close to parts of the Oregon Trail, including Barlow Toll Road. (originally called the Mount Hood Toll Road) - Barlow Toll Road was the last overland segment of the trail before reaching the Willamette Valley (Ending in Oregon City). It opened in 1846 as a toll road, charging five dollars per wagon, and .10 cents for each head of livestock. Settlers who couldn't afford to pay this toll had to take rafts down the Columbia River.  Barlow Road is protected by the National Register of Historic Places, and you can still see the ruts made from the wagon wheels in many places, surrounded by beautiful forests.