The Legend of the Guardian

"The Legend of the Guardian"
It is believed by some that the Elkhorn Mountain peak and the shadow is called "The Guardian." That legend states that "The Guardian" is a deity that watches over the Powder River valley and keeps it safe. This is just one of the legends of this beautiful shadow that we have the honor of seeing every winter.

Another Place to Visit Along the Oregon Trail

Oregon Trail Pioneers rested here and then continued on with their journey saying “Farewell” to the bend in the Snake River. Look for a small iron cross which is visible from Highway 30. This marks the location where the Snake River Shoshone Indians battled Oregon Trail pioneers in 1860. http://www.oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=4

Grave site at Farewell Bend Oregon

Over the next few weeks we will be featuring once a week a blog about some of the interesting and tragic occurances that happened along the trail. Please enjoy and maybe pack up your family and visit some of these sites.



Farewell Bend Oregon grave site map

Diary of John Fothergill 1852-1853
August 15, 1852 "all this road rough and hilly plenty of grass, water and fuel this part has a more mountainous appearance than any we have yet seen it is beautiful, pefectly wild, most irregular with very high hills, principally peaked up. 3 miles from us this morning a man of the name Wilson was shot by a fellow emigrant (Jessey Varner) they had a quarrel, and it ended in drawing pistols when Wilson received 4 balls out of 5 fired at him and died immediately leaving a wife (who was present) and 9 children to lament his frightful death. Wilsons pistol would not go off they talk of trying the culprit tonight Saw 6 graves 19 dead cattle".
This man Wilson obviously was not thinking of his actions and what the outcome would be for his family. The family continued on and reached thier goal and a few years later his wife re-married.
This grave was possibley one of those that was found when Interstate Highway 84 was put in. It was moved to the site that is indicated on the map, the orange *.

This historical marker commemorating pioneer woman Marie Dorion is located 2 miles north of North Powder, Oregon on Highway 237 at mile point 29.04. Near here Marie Dorion gave birth to the "firstborn, part white child on the Oregon Trail".* Due to the mother's malnutrition the baby boy was tiny and week and died eight days later. For further information about this courageous woman and her life on the 1811 Wilson Price Hunt Astoria expedition read *MADAM DORION by Jerome Peltier.

Congratulations Mary Kaye ! Mary Kaye has been nominated for the 2013 WMA Western Album of the Year, Song of the Year and she has also been nominated for Female Performer, Songwriter, and Entertainer of the Year!! Great Job we are so very excited for you here at the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center!! Check this site out for more information and for her exciting new album http://marykayeknaphus.com/

Civil War Veteran



                                                         Joshua Roswell Moe

Joined the 4th Regiment, Michigan Cavalry (Union) in 1862. He was with Company A as a private. They organized at Detroit, Mich.,and mustered in August 28, 1862 and left for Louisville, KY on September 26th. A few of the battles they fought were, the Battle of Stone River December of 1862, the Battle of Chickamauga in September of 1863, the Battles of Dallas and New Hope Church and Allatoona Hills May and June of 1864, and the the assult on Keneshaw in June of 1864. They finally mustered out July 1, 1865.
He was finally able to go home.

The Regiment lost during that time 3 Officers and 48 Enlisted men killed in battle, but the biggest loss was from disease 2 Officers and 341 Enlisted men. Total 394

                                                     My Great Great Grandfather

If you wish to search for your own Civil War ancestors go to: http://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-soldiers.htm

Here's another interesting site---with animated maps of specific Civil War battles:
http://www.civilwaranimated.com/

Staying in town on Black Friday and want something to do with your kiddos? Come on up to the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center!!