Oregon Trail paintings capture pioneer life on America’s western frontier

Wagons cross the South Platte River in double teams.

Emigrants travel along the Barlow Cutoff, an alternative route at the end of the Oregon Trail that allowed them to bypass the float down the Columbia River to the Willlamette Valley. In the background is Mount Rainier.

Covered wagons pass by Rock Creek Stage Station.

Three Island Crossing was one of the more difficult crossings on the Oregon Trail. Here, emigrants used three natural islands to make an easier crossing of the Snake River in Idaho.

A wagon train makes its way through the narrow Mitchell Pass here at Scotts Bluff National Monument. Eagle Rock and Dome Rock dominate the horizon.

Wagons pass Independence Rock along the Sweetwater River as they head west. Devil's Gate can be seen in the distance.

Laramie Peak looms over the emigrants descent to LaBonte Creek.

Wagons pass Alcove Springs which was an important landmark for emigrants.

Fort Laramie, sitting along the Laramie River, was a critical location for the fur trade and later of the emigrants as a place of rest and resupply. In 1849 it was purchased by the U.S. Army.