The second web site you will visit is called "Provisions for the Trail."
Through visiting this web site you will gain a better understanding of what an economic burden traveling the Oregon Trail was. You will also discover what kinds of supplies pioneers needed during the journey. Can you imagine towing all of those supplies for miles and miles? Write your responses to the following bold questions in your notes.
1. Click on the above link to get to the site.
2. Read this page.
3. Look at the list under "Draft Animals." How much would it cost to buy 6 oxen, 2 cattle, 1 pack horse, 1 horse blanket, and 1 pack saddle?
4. Look at the list under "Wagons." How much would it cost to buy 1 covered wagon and one cloth cover?
Click here to learn more about the covered wagon. Here you will get an idea of the function of the wagon and how all of the supplies fit on it.
5. Go back to the "Provisions of the Trail" site. Look at the list under "Sundries and Camp Equipment." Pick 6 things you may need and describe what you will use them for. How much is the total cost?
6. You will need at least one weapon on the Trail. Pick one weapon and describe what you may use it for. How much does it cost?
7. Look at the list under "food." The amount of food recommended for each adult was : 150 lbs. of flour, 20 lbs. of corn meal, 50 lbs. of bacon, 40 lbs, of sugar, 10 lbs. of coffee, 15 lbs. of dried fruit, 5 lbs. of salt, half a pound of saleratus (baking soda), 2 lbs. of tea, 5 lbs. of rice, and 15 lbs. of beans. Using the price list on the web site, calculate the cost of this amount of food for two adults.
8. Add up the total cost of the animals, wagon, equipment, weapon, and food that you calculated above. You may use a calculator.
Go to this web site, "The Inflation Calculator," to figure out how much it would cost to travel on the Oregon Trail today.
In the first box, enter the amount of money you calculated in step #9 above. In the second box, enter 1850. This is around the year you would have purchased supplies for the Oregon Trail. In the third box, enter 2005. Click "submit." Record the amount of money it would cost today in your notes.
How expensive was it to go on the Oregon Trail? Was it affordable? Why do you think families spent the money to go? What are some things you will tell your family about gathering supplies for the trip?
