The Oregon Trail

By Francis Parkman Parkman's text is a classic--and we have the whole thing online. Parkman made the trek in the 1840s, but--despite the title--he didn't go all the way to Oregon. Nonetheless, it is a revealing look at the Oregon Trail experience. Read the full text of this book: 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/13/14/15/16/17/18/19/20 21/22/23/24/25

A Prairie Traveler: A Hand-book for Overland Expeditions

By Randolph B. Marcy Published by the War Department in 1859, this book came a little late for the bulk of the pioneers. But it provides a detailed look at the journey in this era. Read the full text of this book: Preface/1/2/3/4/5/6/7/Appendix

The Life of Col. John Charles Fremont

His Narrative of Explorations and Adventures This 1856 work summarizes Fremont's journeys in the West. Over 500 pages in the original form. Read the full text of this book: CLICK HERE

Far-West Sketches

By Jesse Benton Fremont Inspired by Mrs. Fremont's 1887 railroad trip to California, a journey that prompts her to reminiscence about her earlier journey west in the 1850s. Read the full text of this book: CLICK HERE

An Overland Journey

By Horace Greeley Newspaperman Horace Greeley is best known for his quote "Go West Young Man" (which he never actually said). He finally went west himself in 1859, and wrote this book. He did not follow the Oregon Trail exactly, but it is still a revealing book. Read the full text of this book: CLICK HERE

Across the Plains in 64

By Anna Dell Clinkinbeard This is the story of John Kelly Vanderburgh, and his family crossing the plains from Iowa to Oregon in a covered wagon in 1864. Read the full text of this book: CLICK HERE