AD 1870-1900 (Temporal Keyword)

DOCUMENT Citation Only Tom Connolly. Julia A. Knowles.

Upon reaching the Oregon Cascades, most Oregon Trail pioneers either rafted their wagons down the Columbia River or traveled the Barlow Road overland around the south side of Mt. Hood to the Willamette Valley, both treacherous options. Following the discovery of gold in eastern Oregon, reliable overland travel became an increasing priority, and the state appropriated resources in 1872 to build a wagon road through the Columbia River Gorge. Treacherous slopes, steep grades, and construction of...