Oregon Trail facts

[Gare]

I have been told a lot of the pioneers that came out on the Oregon trail carried at least $4,000 in gold to buy land out there. I am having a hard time to believe that they had that much gold and coin back then. I also know that they had to have some stash to purchase land out there and get started. Do any of you know how or where to look this information up on there? ALL HELP is GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!

 

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[ToddsPoint]

$4k in gold coins would weigh about 20 lbs. Possible I suppose. I wonder if "eastern money" (bank notes) were any good in Oregon back in the day? It seems to me carrying $4k in gold coast to coast on trains and in wagons or horseback would be dangerous, to say the least. Gary

 

[travis.gore.79]

$4,000 seem to be a ridiculous amount of money then.

 

[Gare]

Travis your thoughts were mine also. I woul sure like to know where you found this information and THANKS> I could not believe each one had $4,000 in gold. Maybe $400


Thanks again Travis

 

[travis.gore.79]

Travis your thoughts were mine also. I woul sure like to know where you found this information and THANKS> I could not believe each one had $4,000 in gold. Maybe $400


Thanks again Travis

Just Wikipedia. I had to look it up to be sure.
I thought they were given free land. That’s why everyone went. Not bad 325 acres for a married couple.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

I've found individual fumble fingers gold coins at stopping spots of westward ho movement corridors. Thus yes: They did "pack their wealth" before uprooting from the east, to a permanent move going west. And might pull a coin out to make a purchase along the way. But I believe Travis is right: Adjusted for inflation, I doubt this is the type assets that someone had in those days. That would be like a million today, or whatever ?

 

[Gare]

Agreed Tom and Thanks