Homes Away From Home

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 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)

Sorry, but we don't have a picture of this historical marker yet. If you have a picture, please share it with us. It's simple to do. 1) Become a member. 2) Adopt this historical marker listing. 3) Upload the picture.

Show me all markers in:  Oregon City, OR  |  Clackamas County  |  97045  |  Oregon  |  United States of America

Clackamas Chinook
The Trail of Tears
Medorem Crawford
To The Banks Of The Willamette
Sidney W. Moss
Dr. John McLoughlin
Oregon
Earthquakes and Mountain Fog
The Confederate Tribes of Grande Ronde Today
Lot Whitcomb

• GPX
• KML
• LOC

Have you seen this marker? If so, check in and tell us about it.