California Bound - Opening the West - 1840-1846

California Bound - Opening the West - 1840-1846
Sunnyvale Heritage Park Museum docent Robert Keahey presents an in-depth look at the early westward migrations from Missouri to California. Before the Donner-Party and the Forty-Niners of the Gold Rush, there were several wagon trains that blazed the trail to California.
Starting with the early western landscape and the drivers that motivated the pioneers to go west, the presentation covers the development of the two primary trails that led pioneers west - The Oregon Trail and The Santa Fe Trail. The basics of a westward migration are also covered. The makeup of the pioneers, how they traveled, what they took with them, and the hazards they faced - all of which led to the development of The California Trail that would bring 250,000 people west.
Several early migrations are discussed, including the Bidwell-Bartleson Party, the Chiles-Walker Party and the Stephens-Townsend-Murphy Party, which brought the first settlers to Sunnyvale. Then an intriguing look at the infamous Hastings Cutoff of 1846 is presented, examining how it sealed the fate of the Donner Party.
And then some fun facts, along with a little myth, legend and lore are thrown into the mix, plus some extra “bonus” material!
Visit the Sunnyvale Heritage Park Museum at
heritageparkmu...

[@canteenadventures]

Another amazing video Sunnyvale Heritage Museum. Thank you for preserving our History. I really hope one day I can make the trip to your Museum!!!

[@sunnyvaleheritageparkmuseum]

Thanks so much for your comments! I do hope you can make it by the museum - it is really a wonderful showcase of not only the history of the pioneers, but also the development of Santa Clara Valley and Sunnyvale.

[@jimprice1959]

Excellent video. I knew that General Vallejo was in favor of California becoming independent of Mexico and eventually part of the United States. I didn't realize he was a delegate to the California Convention. I liked the way you listed items and then fleshed them out verbally. Incidentally.... "Sierra" is a collective. It is short for "Sierra Nevada" or "snow covered saw" in Spanish. Saying "Sierras" is like saying "feets" or "sheeps." Also... Where is the Sunnyvale Heritage Park Museum? You didn't mention where it is or how to visit it.

[@sunnyvaleheritageparkmuseum]

Thanks for your valuable feedback. Your point is well-taken! I am trying to break the "Sierras" habit! Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@jimprice1959]

@@sunnyvaleheritageparkmuseum I really did learn a lot. My wife and I traveled the Oregon Trail from Ogallala, Nebraska to Oregon City. When we got to the spit of the Oregon and California trails at Raft River Crossing I told the docent that my ancestors didn't want to be "sod busters" and took crossed the river to go to the riches of California. He replied "No, they just couldn't read the sign." He was a character.

[@jimprice1959]

I lived in San Carlos and sometimes shopped at the old Orchard Supply & Hardware store on Mathilda. I didn't know about the Heritage Park Museum. That was 40 years ago. Maybe the museum wasn't built then.

[@sunnyvaleheritageparkmuseum]

@@jimprice1959 The original museum was in Murphy Park. The current museum opened in 2008 and is modeled after the Murphy's "Bay View" house, which stood from 1850-1961. Thanks again for watching the video and your kind comments!