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In 1811, fur trappers began laying the Oregon Trail.
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In 1840, Robert Newel, Joseph L. Meek and their families reached the Columbia River opening the final part of the Oregon Trail to wagon traffic.
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In 1841, the first group of people used the Oregon Trail to migrate west. This was the first organized wagon train to the west.
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The second organized wagon train left Missouri with 100 pioneers to migrate west.
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The Great Migration leaves Independence, Missouri with 120 wagons.
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The California Gold Rush extends the Oregon Trail with the Californai Trail addition.
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In 1869, the first transcontinental railroad was completed, and the use of the Oregon Trail declined.
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In the 1890s, roads and train travel improved so much that use of the Oregon Trail stopped.
