How Settlers Poured into Oregon Country

Overland Trails, Sea Routes, and Land Incentives

Overland

• Oregon Trail – 2,000 mi from Missouri; covered wagons.
• California Trail – branch during 1849 Gold Rush.
• Mullan Road (1860) – military road linking Montana to Washington.

By Sea

• New England ships around Cape Horn.
• Hudson’s Bay Company posts (Fort Vancouver).

Land Laws

• Donation Land Claim Act (1850) – free land for settlers.
• Oregon Donation Law – 320 acres (single), 640 acres (married).

Influx led to towns, farms, conflict with Native tribes, and eventual Oregon Territory (1848) and statehood (1859).