Today In History

Supplies 6 Months on the Oregon Trail for Survival with $ 420. total The US Government was already set up to ship goods to Mexico from Independence, Mo. Thus this town became the starting point in 1843 when the first 1,000 settlers set out for the west on the Oregon Trail. In 1850 the year after Gold was discovered, over 55,000 people made this same historic trek. The wagons carried their supplies and the Ox Teams provided the power. A Three man traveling team had to plan their supplies carefully for the six month trek, taking in to account the weight restrictions on the wagon and their budget. Here is the list of supplies and costs suggested by experienced pioneers : Covered Studebaker Wagon $ 85. ( 3’ wide and 10’ long ) 4 Ox ( 2 pair teams ) $ 100. Harnesses $ 12. 3 Rifles $ 60. 3 Pairs of Pistols $ 45. 30 lbs. Lead ( bullets ) $ 1.20 5 barrels Flour ( 1,080 lbs ) $ 20. 600 lbs. of Bacon $ 30. 100 lbs of Coffee $ 8. Tent ( 30 lbs ) $ 5. 50 lbs of Salt / Pepper $ 2. 50 lbs of Lard $ 2.50 5 pounds of Tea $ 2.75 150 lbs of Sugar $ 7. 75 lbs of Rice $ 3.75 50 lbs of Dried Fruit $ 7. Pots and Pans ( 30 lbs ) $ 3.50 Matches ( glass container ) $ 1. Candles / Soap ( 50 lbs ) $ 4. Bedding ( 45 lbs ) $ 22. Personal Baggage ( 150 lbs ) Total Weight 2,505 pounds The Oregon Trail ended officially in 1884 when the railroad was completed. Over 300,000 traveled the trail between 1843 – 1884, with over 30,000 losing their lives en route. The costs of goods if needed on the trail would cost 10 – 20 times the cost in the stores in Independence, Mo.