The Old Oregon Country: A History of Frontier Trade, Transportation and TravelThe Pacific Northwest, the old Oregon country, was one of the most remote and inaccessible frontier areas, but it was also known to be rich in natural resources. The opening up of this region is a story of courage, endurance, and pioneer enterprise. Transportation in this rugged country was a problem to the settlers who would promote commerce and travel, just as it was a problem to the earlier fur traders. The construction of roads and development of water routes progressed through the years until the railroad finally came to the Northwest, but at no time did the scarcity of roads prevent settlers from pushing back the frontier. Here the whole story of travel and travelers in this region is told for the first time. The book is based largely on primary sources and, as such, is a contribution to history. As an account of courage and ingenuity, transportation monopoly against transportation monopoly, and man versus nature, it is fascinating reading. University Professor of History at Indiana University, O. O. Winther is the author of Express and Stagecoach Days in California and Via Western Express and Stagecoach. |
Contents
A LINK IN THE CHINA TRADE | 14 |
COMPANY OF ADVENTURERS | 39 |
PRO PELLE CUTEM | 55 |
THE HONourable Companys Larder | 65 |
YANKEE INFILTRATION | 81 |
THE FUR COUNTRY IN TRANSITION | 96 |
IMMIGRANT TRAILS | 109 |
OLD WAGON ROADS | 122 |
THE MULLAN ROAD | 180 |
LONG HAULS TO THE HINTERLAND | 214 |
CHAPTER PAGE | 231 |
FULL STEAM AHEAD | 246 |
STAGEcoach and ExpRESS MONOPOLIES | 255 |
STAGECOACH TRAVEL | 273 |
MANUSCRIPTS | 305 |
| 315 | |
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American animals Archives of British Astoria Bancroft Beaver Boise British Columbia California Captain Cariboo Cascades cattle City Clark coach Columbia River Colvile Cowlitz Dalles established expedition Express Fargo and Company Fort Benton Fort Langley Fort Vancouver Fraser River fur trade gold Holladay horses Howay Hudson's Bay Company Ibid Idaho Indians Inland Empire James John Journal July June land Library London Marine History McLoughlin McLoughlin's Fort Vancouver miles mining Missouri Montana mules Mullan Road North West Company October Olympia operations Oregon country Oregon Historical Society Oregon Steam Navigation Overland Pacific Northwest pack trains passengers Pioneer portage Portland Puget Sound Railroad reached region Rocky Mountains route Sacramento salmon San Francisco September settlers ship Simpson stage stagecoach Steam Navigation Company steamer steamship trail transportation Vancouver Letters Victoria voyage wagon road Walla Walla Washington Historical Quarterly Washington Territory Willamette Valley William winter wrote Wyeth York