A study proposal to obtain Congressional authorization for a “Feasibility Study” of the southern overland migration and military routes used by emigrants, gold rushers, and the Army of the West to reach southern California has been prepared by the Oregon-California Trails Association. The purpose of the “Feasibility Study” is to determine if these trails meet the criteria of the National Trails System Act for designation as a National Historic Trail.
Currently there is no National Historic Trail telling the story of the great American western migration to California from across the entire southern half of the United States. Nor is there any national recognition honoring the trail of the Army of the West (which included the Mormon Battalion) for the vital role it played in America's western expansion.
In fact, there were four major trails (including branches and related trails) that played a very significant role in the western expansion of America in the mid-nineteenth century. Starting in the 1840's and spurred by the discovery of gold in California in 1848 events that occurred over these four trails created the largest, voluntary, peaceful, movement of people in history. It was also one of the best documented events in American history. It was all one large event that occurred all across the country at the same time. It was truly a national experience.
Unfortunately this is not recognized today by our National Trail System. It’s hard to overlook the big void on the current National Trail System map south of a line drawn from St Louis to San Francisco that does not recognize a single National Historic Trail across the entire southern half of the United States celebrating this great, uniquely, American event. The thousands of emigrants and gold rushers from key southern jump-off points such as Fort Smith, Austin, San Antonio, and the gulf ports who used the Southern Trail routes to California are totally ignored.
While a larger number of emigrants traveled over the three northern trails, the Oregon, California, and Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trails, a fourth trail across the south, the Southern Trail, played an equally important role in American trail history during the same time period. It was the southern gateway for migration to California, and what it may have lacked in total number of emigrants; it made up for from a military perspective in helping shape America’s final borders. The Southern Trail was the route of the Army of the West which secured New Mexico and Arizona without firing a shot and moved on to be instrumental in bringing California, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Wyoming and Colorado into the Union. In their momentous effort to get the Army of the West’s supply wagons to California the Mormon Battalion completed the first wagon road from the United States to the shore of the Pacific Ocean. All the very things national historic trails are made of.
To see a copy of the Southern National Historic Trail Project Study Proposal select the "Study Proposal" box at the top of this page. For a map of the trails in the project please select the "Trail Maps" button.
We welcome all those with an interest in America’s historical trails to join in our effort.
For More Information Contact:
Albert Eddins
7581 East Pasaro Drive
Scottsdale, Arizona 85266
480 686-1155
aseddins@msn.com
