James Mason DiaryINDEPENDENCE

MISSOURIApril 23, 1850

Diary of James Mason

From Lexington, MO – Up the Missouri River - Passed Independence, MO

April 23 – G.L. McLane passed in morning passed Independence land in evening Licking Co Co had a row among themselves

Diary of James Mason

California Oregon Trail from Independence, MO - to Hangtown (Placerville, CA)

Independence

Placerville

Imagine what it would have been like to be a pioneer in America in  the mid-1800s and working your way westward in a covered wagon.  Missouri was where the trails began and Independence became known  as “The Queen City of The Trails”, because all of the trails west  could be accessed from there. Covered wagons carried mainly tools, food, and supplies.  If a wagon  was too heavily loaded, the oxen, or mules could not handle the load  when it came to the steep pulls. It was said that you didn’t have  to venture far out of Independence to find the trail strewn with items  that had been left behind to lighten the load. Once the pioneers crossed the Missouri River, they left  civilization behind them and began their journey on  what became known as The Oregon Trail.

Independence MissouriMissouri, Where The Trails Began

Independence Missouri

Missouri, Where The Trails Began

Independence Missouri

Independence Missouri

Independence Missouri

Court House 1800’s

Independence Missouri

Downtown 1850’s

Independence Missouri

Missouri - California/Oregon Trail Life

Independence Missouri

Cattle often use to pull wagons

ENDJames Mason DiaryINDEPENDENCE

MISSOURIApril 23, 1850