- Pioneers traveling by covered wagon had to be very careful of their wagon’s weight. Even a few pounds heavier could mean the trip would be much more difficult for the oxen or horses. …
- 150 pounds of flour. 30 pounds of pilot bread (hardtack) …
- doll. jump rope. …
- flour. 150. …
- coffee grinder. rug. …
- ax. shovel.
How wide were the wagons?
Why did wagons tip over?
What did a typical family carry in their wagon?
Research suggests that a typical family of four carried 800 pounds of flour, 200 pounds of lard, 700 pounds of bacon, 200 pounds of beans, 100 pounds of fruit, 75 pounds of coffee and 25 pounds of salt. The wagon also had to carry a shovel and cooking utensils.
What was the main item that pioneers brought with them in their covered wagons?
The pioneers would take with them as many supplies as possible. They took cornmeal, bacon, eggs, potatoes, rice, beans, yeast, dried fruit, crackers, dried meat, and a large barrel of water that was tied to the side of the wagon. If the pioneers could take a cow, they would.
What did wagon trains carry?
Farmers brought plow blades and precious seed. Skilled craftsmen making the trip often had to bring one or more additional wagons just to haul the tools of their trades, necessitating the hiring of drovers and adding more food to feed them. Emigrants brought books, Bibles, trail guides, and writing materials.
How did people sleep in covered wagons?
Rough roads and wagons without springs made for a very bumpy ride, and wagons were filled with supplies which left little room for passengers. Generally, travelers only rode in wagons when too ill or tired to walk, and slept most nights in tents or bedrolls outside the wagon.
What was the average size of a wagon train going west?
Most wagon trains had at least 25 wagons. Perhaps the largest wagon train to travel on the Oregon Trail left Missouri in 1843 with over 100 wagons, 1,000 men, women and children, and 5,000 head of oxen and cattle. The train was led by a Methodist missionary named Dr. Elijah White.
How did wagon trains carry water?
was a constant struggle to provide enough water for themselves and their animals. Their prairie schooner could carry only one-ton of supplies. Typically, a water barrel strapped to the side of the wagon only held fifteen to twenty gallons.
How did pioneers keep bacon?
Usually, thick slabs of smoked bacon would keep as long as it was protected form the hot temperatures. One way to preserve bacon was to pack it inside a barrel of bran. Also, eggs could be protected by packing them in barrels of corn meal – as the eggs were used up, the meal was used to make bread.
How many miles a day did a wagon train travel?
The covered wagon made 8 to 20 miles per day depending upon weather, roadway conditions and the health of the travelers. It could take up to six months or longer to reach their destination.
Why didn't most pioneers ride in their wagon?
People didn't ride in the wagons often, because they didn't want to wear out their animals. Instead they walked alongside them, getting just as dusty as the animals. The long journey was hard on both people and animals. It was even hard on the wagons, which usually had to be repaired several times during the trip.
What time did pioneers go to bed?
It was not until 1952 that the first water treatment plant was constructed. Pioneers typically went to sleep at dusk since, without light, not much could be accomplished.
How much did it cost to join a wagon train?
It was costly—as much as $1,000 for a family of four. That fee included a wagon at about $100. Usually four or six animals had to pull the wagon.
Why did pioneers circle their wagons at night?
To be on the safe side, the pioneers drew their wagons into a circle at night to create a makeshift stockade. If they feared Native Americans might raid their livestock—the Plains tribes valued the horses, though generally ignored the oxen—they would drive the animals into the enclosure.
What do you pack in a covered wagon?
Page 1Pioneers traveling by covered wagon had to be very careful of their wagon's weight. Even a few pounds heavier could mean the trip would be much more difficult for the oxen or horses. ... • 150 pounds of flour. • 30 pounds of pilot bread (hardtack) ... doll. jump rope. ... flour. 150. ... coffee grinder. rug. ... ax. shovel.
What was in a covered wagon?
Covered Wagons The covered wagon consisted of a wooden bed covered by canvas stretched over wooden hoops riding on top of iron-covered wooden wheels and iron axels. Covered wagons had two main purposes: transporting people with their belongings and supplies on long journeys and hauling cargo across difficult terrain.
What tools did pioneers Bring on the Oregon Trail?
Each man took a rifle or shotgun and some added a pistol. A good hunting knife was essential. Farm implements such as a plow, shovel, scythe, rake, hoe; plus carpentry tools - saw, broad axe, mallet, plane. Seeds for corn, wheat and other crops.
How big was the inside of a covered wagon?
The body of the wagons could be smaller versions of a Conestoga or simply a wooden box that was nine or ten feet long and about four feet wide. The sides and ends were about two feet high. Sometimes the emigrants built a false floor twelve or fifteen inches from the bottom of the bed.
What was in the back of a wagon?
Most wagons had a “chuck box” at the back of the wagon that consisted of a fold-down table surface in front of a cabinet that contained food stuffs, utensils, plates and basics needed to prepare a meal. Shelving below the axle contained larger Dutch ovens, bowls for making bread dough, tubs for washing, or even bottles of a more sundry nature.
What was the wagon used for?
Two primary types of wagons were used on wagon trails going west. The Conestoga wagon was named for Conestoga Township in Pennsylvania where many German pioneers in the 1750s first started West on the Appalachian Trail to settle land east of the Mississippi. It was a huge and very heavy wagon, 28 feet long with wheels five feet tall and, loaded, could weigh as much as six tons and took three pair of oxen to pull. (Like pulling a semi!)
What were the main routes the Westering pioneers traveled?
Westering pioneers had many routes to choose from but the main ones were the Oregon, California, Sante Fe, and Mormon Trails . Whatever route they chose, many read guidebooks like Landsford Hastings’ 1845 “The Emigrant’s Guide to Oregon and California” or Captain Randolph Marcy’s 1859 “The Prairie Traveler: A Hand-Book for Overland Expeditions.” They offered advice on what and how to pack, what draft animals to buy, distances, water, grass, terrain, weather, firearms and ammunition, tools, wagon parts, how to make repairs, and what hardships they might meet along the way.
How many wagons did the Oregon Trail have?
Most wagon trains had at least 25 wagons. Perhaps the largest wagon train to travel on the Oregon Trail left Missouri in 1843 with over 100 wagons, 1,000 men, women and children, and 5,000 head of oxen and cattle. The train was led by a Methodist missionary named Dr. Elijah White. But wagon trains became so common on the trail that processions seemed to have no beginning or end. Diaries told of hundreds of wagons passing by Fort Laramie in a single day in the 1850s. Foraging for the teams became a serious challenge because grazing near the trail had been exhausted.
Why were wagons waterproof?
The sides of the wagons were waterproofed with tar, so they could ford rivers and keep the cargo dry. A thoroughly water-proofed wagon would also float in high water, making the crossing much easier. The canvas tops were oiled to keep out the rain. Wooden wheels had iron rims to prevent wear.
Why did the wagons walk?
A wagon was filled with essentials, so travelers usually walked alongside the wagons. This also saved the energy of the oxen, mules or horses pulling the wagons. Teams grazed at night for grass.
What tools did the wagon train use?
Prudent planners would also pack heavy rope, chains, spare parts, axle grease, and even pulleys. Oil and candle lanterns were essential since work and repairs often had to be done at night, so all would be ready when the wagon train left in the morning.
What did the settlers carry on the Trail?
The settlers weren’t just carrying the 19 th century equivalent of a bug-out bag or survival kit; they had everything they needed to survive the Trail and build a new life at the end of it. Most people who took the Trail had at least one wagon with them and sometimes two or even more.
Why were the canopies of the wagons waterproofed?
They had high sides, waterproofed with tar so the wagon could be pulled through streams and rivers without flooding. A well-proofed wagon, even fully loaded, could float if deeper water had to be crossed. The canvas canopies were oiled to keep the rain out.
How long did the settlers stay in the Trail?
A couple of blankets beside the fire is fine for an occasional night out, but settlers could be in the Trail for six months or more. To avoid fatigue it was vital to get a good night’s sleep. Bedrolls were the most common option, but not the anorexic ones shown in movies; these contained layers of thin mattresses, quilts and blankets rolled in a rubberized groundsheet.
What did the Settlers do in the summer?
Settlers took the Trail in summer, but they still had to work in the dark sometimes. If wagon repairs needed done it could mean working into the night. Oil and candle lanterns gave enough light to work by.
What did the Oregon Trail settlers eat?
The usual ration per person was 200 pounds of flour, 150 pounds of bacon, 80 pounds of lard, 20 pounds of sugar and ten pounds each of coffee and salt. Bacon was packed in barrels of bran to insulate it. Eggs were also carried, packed in cornmeal – as the eggs were eaten the meal could be turned into cornbread.
What tools did the settlers use to cut logs?
Most settlers carried at least two chopping tools. An ax c ould be used to fell trees and split firewood; a hatchet worked for smaller jobs around camp, as a wedge for splitting logs, and even as a last-ditch weapon. Being able to cut timber was essential; wagon repairs, corduroy for tough sections of trail, and building shelters all needed wood.
What happens if you break a wagon on the Trail?
A broken wagon that couldn’t be repaired might easily be a death sentence on the Trail. In later stages there might be room on someone else’s wagon to load your food and maybe some other supplies, but if anyone had to abandon the bulk of their food they probably weren’t going to make it.
What animals did pioneers kill?
In the early days of the trail when game was more abundant near the trail, pioneers could often kill buffalo and antelope. However, a more dependable supply of fresh meat was to bring along a small herd of cattle and trail them behind the wagon. Many also brought along a cow for milking purposes. Milk could also be churned into butter by simply ...
What did the people of the Jouney need?
To survive the long jouney, a family of four would need 600 lbs. of flour, 120 lbs. of biscuits, 400 lbs. of bacon, 60 lbs. of coffee, 4 lbs. of tea, 100 lbs. of sugar, and 200 lbs. of lard. These would just be the basic staples. Other food stuffs could include sacks of rice and beans, plus dried peaches and apples. Bacon was often hauled in large barrels packed in bran so the hot sun would not melt the fat. Each man took a rifle or shotgun and some added a pistol. A good hunting knife was essential. Farm implements such as a plow, shovel, scythe, rake, hoe; plus carpentry tools - saw, broad axe, mallet, plane. Seeds for corn, wheat and other crops.
How many miles did the pioneers travel?
These wagons carried not only everything the families needed to survive the grueling, months-long, 2,000-mile journey, but also as much as they could carry to help them set up their new home. They thus needed to carry food, clothing, a full set of tools and cookware, bedding, weapons, and spare wheels and canvas to address the inevitable breakdowns along the way.
What was the Conestoga wagon?
A view of a Conestoga Wagon, which was a precursor to the Pioneer Wagon, which was typically a simple farm wagon outfitted with canvas covers. A view of a team of Pioneers on the Oregon Trail. You can tell this was relatively early in their trip – the canvases aren’t yet dark and tattered. This photo is a great illustration ...
How wide were the wagons?
The image of early pioneers settling to sleep each night, safely tucked into beds inside their respective covered wagon is not accurate! The wagons measured in at only about four feet wide and eight or nine feet long. The entire wagon was narrower than a full-size bed and only slightly longer. Every stitch of the family’s belongings needed to be packed into the wagon, leaving no room for beds or comforts we take for granted. The families either camped in the open under the stars or slept on the ground beneath the wagon.
Why did wagons tip over?
The Prairie Schooners had to be packed carefully with the heaviest items at the bottom. Wagons were prone to tipping over because they had a high center of gravity. Conestoga wagons were the riskiest for tipping. The size and heaviness of them made them more unstable on the trail. Both types of wagons gave the passengers a bumpy, jarring ride. Riding in the wagons, in fact, was so uncomfortable that most people opted to walk beside them whenever possible.
