Category: U.S. History

I forgot to schedule the August posts here, so I'm playing catchup. Here are the first week's worth of social media posts that I did for the California Trail Interpretive Center. The rest will follow at their scheduled times. August 1 During the month of August we'll present diary excerpts from a "virtual journey" along [...]

July 22 This day in Trail history – A composite journey along the California Trail – July 22, 1850 "This [Great Salt Lake] valley is perhaps 25 by 40 miles square, they have settlements in two other valleys and number 12 to 14 thousand inhabitants, they expect a large emigration in this season. Their city [...]

July 15 This day in Trail history – A composite journey along the California Trail – July 15, 1850 "I was unwell this morning; had the diarrhea for the first time since I have been on the road; confined to the wagon most of the day. Our road was a little rough as it lay [...]

July 8 This day in Trail history – A composite journey along the California Trail – July 8, 1852 "In the valley of the Sweet water, between snow covered mountains, and so cold that one freezes in winter clothes. Much alkali water, and therefore a great number of dead cattle. Added to this a second [...]

July 1 During the month of July we'll present diary excerpts from a "virtual journey" along the California Trail. The portion of trail covered during this hypothetical July journey is shown in the Google Earth image, ranging from Casper, Wyoming to Salt Lake City, Utah or just west of Soda Springs, Idaho. Planned diary entry [...]