right|frame|The main route of the Oregon Trail (green line) and California Trail (thick red line), including the Applegate Trail (northernmost thinner red line)

The Applegate Trail was an emigrant trail through the present-day U.S. states of Idaho, Nevada, California, and Oregon used in the mid-19th century by emigrants on the American frontier. It was originally intended as a less dangerous alternative to the Oregon Trail by which to reach the Oregon Territory. Much of the route was coterminous with the California Trail.

Background

In 1843, part of the Applegate family of Missouri headed west along the Oregon Trail to the Oregon Country. Brothers Charles, Jesse, and Lindsay led their families through many hardships along the trail, including the loss of two children on the journey down the Columbia River. The group began the trek on June 25, 1846, with Jesse Applegate, Lindsay Applegate, David Goff, John Owen, B. F. Burch, W. Sportsman, Robert Smith, a Mr. Goodhue, J. Jones, B. Ausbuan, and Levi Scott starting the survey. On the return trip, the group brought approximately 150 immigrants along the new southern route, also known as the South Road, South Emigrant Trail or the Scott-Applegate Trail. The trail then entered Northern California and passed Goose and Tule lakes. The Nevada section of the trail is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Applegate-Lassen Trail.

See also

  • Barlow Road
  • Huntington Wagon Road
  • Meek Cutoff
  • Mormon Trail
  • Oregon-California Trails Association
  • Oregon Historic Trails Advisory Council
  • Santiam Wagon Road

References

  • History of the Applegate Trail
  • Applegate-Lassen Route at California - Nevada Chapter of the Oregon-California Trails Association (OCTA)
  • Deaths and Graves On The Applegate-Lassen Trail at California - Nevada Chapter of the Oregon-California Trails Association (OCTA)