The Oregon Trail migrations happened in the mid 1800’s, when many American holiday traditions were established that are still celebrated today - such as Christmas trees, Santa Claus, and Christmas cards.
For Oregon Trail pioneers their 5-6 month journey across the western half of the continent brought them to Oregon in September or October, and their time and energy was dedicated to finding or building a home, finding work, and recovering economically and physically from the grueling trip. Christmas was usually a very simplified celebration, but one of the most popular activities was community dances or parties.
Here is a description by Tina Zumwalt Howard, a pioneer of 1854, describing typical pioneer parties:
“…my father took me on horseback all over the country, to dances. Sometimes we would go 40 miles to a dance. He would make from $10 to $15 a night, playing for a dance. I learned a jig when I was about nine years old, and I also learned to play the violin, banjo, piano and accordion. In those days the dances started right after supper. A good substantial meal was served just before midnight, and refreshments were served at about four a.m. Refreshments in those days didn’t mean a cup of tea and a sandwich. It meant all the deer meat and potatoes you could eat, as well as cakes and pie, and coffee made out of burnt rye or burnt bread crust.”
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Good read, thank you!
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