It Happened on the Oregon Trail

It Happened In...

by Tricia Martineau Wagner

 Many of the events that took place along the Oregon Trail are well known--the perils the Applegate family faced as they rafted down the raging Columbia River, the plight of the Donner Party as they found themselves snowbound and starving at Truckee Lake. But do you know the whole story?

It Happened on the Oregon Trail reveals the stories of these well-known events as well as many lesser-known happenings, providing insights about the adventurous emigrants who, beginning in the 1840s, headed west in covered wagons in search of a better life. The hardships and the joys of the 2000-mile journey across plains, mountains, and deserts come alive in this entertaining and informative book. 

Genres: History, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2004

Reviews

[Chad E Spilman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stories in chronological order starting from 1828 on the hardships of the oregon trail usually technically starting in Independence Missouri. 10s of thousands died on the way and were buried under the trail so as to not be disturbed. The journey westward by wagon train took on average 4-5 months at about 1-2 miles an hour and 15 miles per day. Great read!!!

[(a)lyss(a) · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Upon reaching The Dalles, an important trading center and a place of rocky rapids along the Columbia River, the emigrants had a decision to make."

Maybe I was expecting too much from this book, but some of the stories felt over-the-top compared to the source material it's based on. The stories were short which made them easy to digest but I was hoping for more content or details. I was also really surprised by the use of the word 'Indian' throughout this book. While it would have been the word people travelling on the Oregon trail would have used it's considered a pretty outdated word, particularly in the Northwest, and it made me wonder if there are other aspects of the stories that got overlooked as well.

Overall it's a decent collection of stories about the Oregon trail that I hadn't heard before but I found the writing a bit distracting.

[Jennifer Salem · Rating 4 out of 5]

A shorter book of about 160 pages filled with personal stories from various people and/families who traveled the Oregon Trail. 29 different stories. Since I’m camped at the Oregon trail right now, it was really great to read it. The author built in historical facts into each of the 29 stories. An interesting and fast read.

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love learning about this time period

[Susan]

The last story in this book, “Right of Way” is about my third great grandmother Rebecca Burdick Winters—a Mormon pioneer mother, and her family's journey to Utah on the Oregon trail. She left a miraculous legacy. Her story is both fascinating and amazing! Although a brief summary, I was impressed with how the author wrote it.

However, I did find an inaccuracy in my ancestors story. Rebecca Burdick Winters was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (a Christian Faith), not the Church of Latter-Day Saints as the author wrote. It’s an important distinction that unfortunately wasn’t corrected but definitely should have been to be historically correct.

I am looking forward to reading the other stories of the men, women and children who endured incredible hardships and sacrificed so much for us today. These intriguing short stories are a wonderful resource for teaching children about the great Westward migration of the United States in a captivating and interesting way.

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book I've read in this series and it is another excellent one. We picked up this book at Craters of the Moon Park and read it aloud as we drove along the Oregon Trail route. The short chapters provided well-written, enjoyable vignettes of little known historical events. I highly recommend this book for anyone, who, like me is interested in the emigrants of the Oregon Trail.

[Brad · Rating 3 out of 5]

My family migrated to Oregon in 1843 and Chapter 3 of this book outlines their difficulties navigating the Columbia River during the final miles of their trip. The crazy story is at once exciting and terrifying - unimaginable by todays' standards. Really enjoyed a glimpse of the past and indebted to Ms. Wagner for including this piece of family history.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author of this book has recently moved into my neighborhood and joined a book club I am in. I sure hope I enjoy reading this.
So, it was a quick reading, but interesting account of many true tales from travels on the Oregon Trail. I enjoyed it.

[Tricia Martineau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compilation of short stories featuring life on the trail, based on primary sources including journals, diaries, and first-hand interviews with descendants. Action-packed stories of little-known trail tales.

[Tiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am learning about the Oregon Trail because it fascinates me, and this book does too! The Oregon Trail has so many stories and this books has 31 stories from different families that traveled on it.

[Tricia Martineau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second edition of original book containing three additional chapters as well as updated research.

[Wendy Cassidy]

Very good!!