Adventures
Old Chief Joseph Gravesite and Cemetery
Tuekakas, commonly known as Old Chief Joseph, was a leader of the Wallowa Band of the Nez Perce who lived from approximately 1785 to 1871. He was among the first of his people to convert to Christianity and initially supported peaceful relations with white settlers, even aiding in the establishment of a large Nez Perce reservation in 1855 that included the Wallowa Valley. However, his views changed drastically after the 1863 treaty, which significantly reduced the reservation lands, excluding their sacred Wallowa homeland, which he felt was a betrayal. Consequently, Old Chief Joseph refused to recognize this new treaty, condemned the United States, and resolved to remain in the Wallowa Valley with his band. He was the father of the later famous Chief Joseph.
National Historic Oregon Trail, Baker City, Oregon
The National Historic Oregon Trail is a significant route in American history that stretches approximately 2,170 miles from Independence, Missouri, to Oregon City, Oregon.
In the 19th century, particularly from the 1840s to the 1860s, the Oregon Trail was one of the main overland migration routes on which hundreds of thousands of American pioneers traveled westward. They sought new opportunities, land under the provisions of the Donation Land Claim Act, and to escape economic hardship in the East.
Travelers faced a grueling journey that could take up to six months. They navigated various terrains, including prairies, mountains (like the Rockies), and deserts, facing challenges like river crossings, diseases, and conflicts with Native American tribes.
The trail facilitated the settlement of the American West, significantly contributing to the expansion of the United States. It led to the establishment of many towns, the spread of American culture westward, and the displacement of Native American populations.