Death Valley '49ers
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The Death Valley '49ers were a group of pioneers from the Eastern United States that endured a long and difficult journey during the late 1840s California Gold Rush to prospect in the Sutter's Fort ar
The monument (CHL No. 441) in Burnt Wagons, California, marking the site where the group killed their oxen and burned their wagons
Death Valley Gateway (CHL No. 442), with the Panamint Range in the background
Donner Party
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The Donner Party, sometimes called the Donner–Reed Party, was a group of American pioneers who migrated to California in a wagon train from the Midwest. Delayed by a multitude of mishaps, they spent t
Death Valley '49ers
…hoped would be new and better life. Since the first great influx of these pioneers began in 1849, they are generally referred to as 49ers. However, the Donner Party pioneers had provided a sobering lesson after mis-scheduling the overland trip to California in 1846–47. Those pioneers had started late and elected…
The 28th page of Patrick Breen's diary, recording his observations in late February 1847, including "Mrs Murphy said here yesterday that thought she would Commence on Milt & eat him. I dont that she has done so yet, it is distressing." [sic]
An encampment of tents and covered wagons on the Humboldt River in Nevada, 1859
James and Margret Reed
Emigration Canyon, route of the Hastings Cutoff