Great Plains

The era of organized wagon-train migration from the Missouri River frontier to Oregon and other western destinations, especially prominent from the 1840s through the 1860s.

Changing zones of settlement, migration and conflict on the expanding United States frontier, rather than a single uniform geographic or temporal boundary.

The Missouri River commercial and outfitting area, including Westport Landing and nearby Independence, that served as a principal departure zone for emigrant wagon trains.

The Pacific Northwest destination sought by many 19th-century overland emigrants traveling the Oregon Trail.

The major mountain barrier crossed by Oregon-bound emigrants during their overland journey.