Wednesday, April 25, 2007

What Would You Take?



The success or failure of a party depended most heavily on their choice of equipment and supplies for the journey. Every emigrant insisted on taking along some luxuries and items of sentimental value. Chamber pots, lanterns, mirrors, Bibles, school books, clocks, and furniture were crammed into odd spaces in almost every wagon. Emigrants were advised not to overload their wagons, but many underestimated the magnitude of the trek they were setting out on and were later forced to discard nonessential cargo. Hard stretches of the Trail became littered with such castoffs as emigrants lightened the load for their weary animals.

Certain accessories and tools for making emergency repairs to a wagon were necessary to bring along. These included rope, brake chains, a wagon jack, extra axles and tongues, wheel parts, axes, saws, hammers, knives, and a sturdy shovel. Cooking utensils were also required -- few overlanders were without a Dutch oven and a good iron skillet -- and the trip was simply not possible without a water barrel to get the party and their animals through dry stretches of the Trail. Weapons and kits for casting bullets were essential, as well, though they were far more commonly used for hunting than for fighting Indians.

However, most of the space in the emigrants' wagons was reserved for food.

Excerpt from the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center


After reading the selection, what three things would you take as a 11-12 year old boy or girl in the 1850's? Make sure they are appropriate for the time period, no video games, tv's, cell phones, etc.

49 comments:

Anonymous said...

I would take knives,food and a bible with me.

Anonymous said...

I would take food,emergency kit, and water.

Anonymous said...

I would take a blanket for when we would have to sleep on the ground. I would also take a gun nso we can kill our food. I would also take extra bullets and powder.

Anonymous said...

If I would have lived in the 1850's I would have brought food, blanket, and my best dress for when we get to Oregon.

Anonymous said...

I would take my great grandmother's self portrait,my diary and a pencil.

Anonymous said...

I would problably take a long book so I wouldn't get bored.I would also take a couple of clothes.The last thing I would take is a diary to record what I saw.

Anonymous said...

I would take water, flour, and cloths

Anonymous said...

I would take I would take a blanket, cooking supplies, china.

Anonymous said...

I would take food.I would also take cooking utensils. I would also take toilet paper and stuff like that.

Anonymous said...

Three things I could take for the Oregon Trail is some lanters,shoes and all of my clothes.

Anonymous said...

I would like to have a weapon to kill animal,foods,and clothes.

Anonymous said...

Yo me llevaria un libro para no aburrirme y lleria una libreta y una foto de mis padres.

Anonymous said...

Three things I will take is a book watch and a map.

Anonymous said...

If I had three things to take on the trip this is what I would take.
First,I would take gun.Next,I would take a hamer and some nails.
Last,Iwould take some closes.

Anonymous said...

I would bring a girl, food, and water.

Anonymous said...

If I had to leave my home I would take cooking untinsuls,rope,and a shovel.

Anonymous said...

If i was going west I will take a blanket, food, and water.

Anonymous said...

I would take food, clothes for my family, and some water.

Anonymous said...

If I was getting ready for the journey west I would take my pocket knife , my bible and my fishing pole.

Anonymous said...

Three thing I would take is food, water and chap stick.

Anonymous said...

three things i would take would take are a DOG, food,and a compass.

Anonymous said...

I would take a hair brush,pillow, and a chapstick.

Anonymous said...

If I went on a trail to the west I would take these things, water, my gold, food.

Anonymous said...

I would take water food and a best friend.

Anonymous said...

I would take a tooth brush,blanket,pillow.

Anonymous said...

I'll take food and cloth i aslo take a shockgun.

Anonymous said...

If I went on a journey I would bring food,drink and clothes.

Anonymous said...

I would take a blanket and a book and also some paper and pencil with me.

Anonymous said...

I would tack my cloths,food,rag,a toy,and a book of animals.

Anonymous said...

I would take my grandpas ring.I would take my pocketwatch tat my dad gave me.Last I would take my other grandpas ring.

Anonymous said...

The three things I would take on the trip is one pair of clothes, journal, and ink pens.

Anonymous said...

I would take a light blanket, a lantern, and clothes.

Anonymous said...

I would tack a light cover, some of my close, a lamp, my family air looms that’s about all.

Anonymous said...

I would take my cloth and my mom told me I have to get one toy only and I got amy best car.

Anonymous said...

If i got to take some things i
would take some blankets, dishes,
clothes, anad other things that i might need.

Anonymous said...

I would take three important things in the 1850's.The three important things I would take would be clothes, food,and tools.

Anonymous said...

I would take clothes,food, and a pocket knife.

Anonymous said...

I will take my pictures, guns, rope, cloths water and food, that is all.

Anonymous said...

I would take my shirt,pants,and socks.

Anonymous said...

Three thing I would take as a 11 or 12 year boy is one pair of clothes,my journal,one pair of shoes that what I would take as a 11 or 12 year boy.

Anonymous said...

I would take my diary,gun and a food.

Anonymous said...

Three things I could take with me is pots, food,and my dog.

Anonymous said...

Three things I could take with me is pots, food,and my dog.

Anonymous said...

if I were in the 1850's as an 11-12 year old girl I would take a bible, some books,and clothes.

Anonymous said...

I would take a gun with powder and bullets, a blanket so if we sleep on the ground, and some clothes.

Anonymous said...

I would take a blanket,pillow,brush,LOTS OF FOOD,and a good dress for when I got to Oregon.

Anonymous said...

i would take food, water, and a rifle.maybe a knife too,also a journal just in case i saw something important.

Anonymous said...

I would take a girl...and a map

Anonymous said...

This song reminds of "Free Bird" or "Sweet Home Alabama". The picture makes me think of one of those songs :) i like to look at it L.O.L.