Ever since I began researching the Oregon Trail route for my novel about travel along the trail, I have wanted to go to the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center in Baker City, Oregon, run by the Bureau of Land Management. I finally had the opportunity to visit it in late April, as my husband and I drove the trail backwards from eastern Washington State to Missouri, along I-84, US-26, and I-80.
Oregon Trail wagon ruts
The museum tells the story of the emigrants, from the jumping off points in the Midwest to their arrival in Oregon City. It also features outdoor walks where visitors can see the remainder of the wagon ruts that pass by the site.
My husband commented that he liked the museum in Independence, Missouri, better, because it focused more on excerpts from pioneer diaries. I love reading the diary entries also, but I have read so many over the years, that perhaps they don’t strike me as “new” anymore.
At this point in my writing, I am focused on the details. For example, oxen were not driven with reins, the way mules and horses were. They were guided by someone walking next to the lead pair, or perhaps with a whip tapping their shoulder or rump.
Ox and driver
Mule and driver
I took many pictures of the displays, and I will pore over them to make my novel as accurate as I can in portraying the lives of the emigrants along the trail.
Evening camp site along the Oregon Trail
What historical details do you look for when you read historical fiction?
P.S. I wrote earlier this year that my goal was to complete my edits of my first Oregon Trail novel by June 30. I got it done the last week in April! All chapters are now ready for my critique group, and I’m now working on addressing their comments on the first half of the book. I’m hoping the novel will then be ready for a final copy-edit. I’m still pushing for a Labor Day publication, though that is definitely a stretch goal. Both the emigrants and I have been on long journeys.
