14 can't miss sites along the Oregon Trail and the stories behind them

Immortalized in the '90s-kid-favorite computer game of the same name, The Oregon Trail makes for an epic 2,000-mile road trip, perfect for history buffs and fans of vast natural beauty. The trail spans six states (nearly seven, if you count the marginal border area between Oregon and Washington), and weve found theprime historical sites, helping you break up the car trip and keep on learning throughout the voyage.Independence, MissouriA satellite city of Kansas City, Independence served as a popular trading post for westward travelers during the peak years of the Oregon Trail. Thanks to its location near the easternmost point of the Oregon Trail, Independence rose to prominence as a jumping-off point for pioneers to stock up on supplies before beginning their long journey, receiving Congressional recognition as the official beginning of the Trail in the mid-19th century.Visitors eager to learn more about this historic trail-launching spot can visit the National Frontier Trails Museum, which outlines not only Independences role on the Oregon Trail but also its significant status on the Santa Fe Trail and the California Trail. The museum features authentic wagon ruts on the grounds, rotating exhibits with Oregon Trail artifacts, and a wagon tour through Independences historic district. Fort Kearny in NebraskaFounded in 1848 as an outpost for the United States Army, Fort Kearny is found just outside the town of Kearney, Nebraska. Located about one-sixth of the way down the Oregon Trail, the fort was a major restocking station for pioneers, also providing shelter and protection for travelers concerned about looting. If you stop off at Fort Kearny, you'll want to spend some time at Fort Kearny State Historic Park, with an interpretive center that hosts exhibits about the fort and its place on the Oregon Trail, reconstructions of original fort buildings, a hiking & biking trail across the Platte River (once a well-used crossing point for trail pioneers), and, if you'd like to spend the night in the great outdoors, a large campsite. Alcove Spring in KansasNotable for its unique rock formations and scenic waterfront vistas, Alcove Spring was a well-used campsite for Oregon Trail travelers. Modern-day visitors can see evidence of its popularity by checking out the rock ledge over the stream; pioneers carved initials and messages in the stone, many of which are still preserved today. The site also held significance for the Donner Party, who lost a member of their group at the spring (a monument to Sarah H. Keyes stands at the top of the Springs rock formation). The wagon trail can be followed on-foot at Alcove Spring; visible wagon swales still exist, and theyll lead you to the patch of land that once served as the emigrants campground.See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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