The Washington State Historical Museum in Tacoma has a series of displays, Frontier Towns, which focus on the non-Indian settlement and development of the state.
The covered wagon
According to the display:
“The wagons that crossed the country along the 2,000 mile Oregon Trail were typically so packed with things that little room remained for people. Many travelers walked beside their ‘prairie schooners,’ both for lack of space and to spare oxen from hauling their weight as well as everything else.”
The trek along the Oregon Trail was hard and those who made the trip enduring many hardships. According to one of the displays:
“The travelers’ mortality rate was 3%, not much greater than that of people who stayed home. Contrary to myth, 90% of the fatalities were caused by disease, especially cholera. Indian attacks were rare. At night wagons were circled not to defend against Indians but to keep the cattle corralled.”
The railroad
The transcontinental railroad, the Northern Pacific, brought many newcomers into western Washington. Many of the newcomers were immigrants from Europe. The railroad arrived at the Tacoma Station in 1884. According to the Museum display:
“The railroad’s impact on Washington goes beyond its effect on the natural environment, the establishment of industries, the importing of populations, and the platting of cities. Railroads have owned and sold much of the land, and they own and control major industries. The location of rails has determined the fate of cities.”
The General Store
The general store—a store which stocked and sold a little bit of almost everything—was important in the early frontier towns. The display in the Washington State History Museum features Schwabacker Brothers General Merchandise. A Jewish immigrant from Germany, Louis Schwabacher opened his first general store in The Dalles along the Oregon Trail. He was soon joined by his brother Abraham and Sigmund. According to the display:
“Folks who stepped into Schwabacher Bros. discovered a world of dry goods, clothing, shoes, hats, pillows, quilts, and crockery. It was a place where people met to share news and purchase a vast array of merchandise.”
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Museums 101: Homestead Room (Photo Diary)
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