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Episodes 3 & 4 are a dive into what the hell happened when a group of 80 people in a wagon train tried to take shortcuts, left late, and followed bad advice in 1846-1847. We also delve into the history of what exactly defines cannibalism and when it has occurred in more recent history. As always, we encourage additional reading and exploration if this is a topic that really interests you! Additionally, this content may be disturbing, so skip it and sit tight a couple weeks for when we move onto something less intense.
Additions to this story:
Maps
Donner-Reed Party Route
Winter Camps
Images
Eliza Donner was only 3 when her family began the trek to California, additional information on her experience can be read here. Christian and Mary Brunner (photo above) took in Eliza and Georgia.
Illustrations from the 19th and 20th centuries
The story captured the minds and imaginations of 19th and 20th century Americans, largely due to the efforts of the survivors to share their stories.
Sites to Visit
- Nebraska
- Scotts Bluff National Monument/Chimney Rock – Scotts Bluff, Nebraska
- Wyoming
- Fort Laramie – Fort Laramie, Wyoming
- Ayers Natural Bridge – Douglas, Wyoming
- National Historic Trails Interpretive Center – Casper, Wyoming
- Independence Rock – Natrona County, Wyoming
- Little Sandy Crossing – Rock Springs, Wyoming
- Fort Bridger –
- Utah
- Donner-Reed Museum – Grantsville, Utah
- Nevada
- California Trail Interpretive Center – Elko, Nevada
- California
- Donner Memorial State Park – Truckee, California
- Donner Memorial Museum – Truckee, California
- Sutter’s Fort – Sacramento, California
References:
Books:
- Cannibalism: A Perfectly Natural History – by Bill Schutt
- The Best Land Under Heaven: The Donner Party in the Age of Manifest Destiny – by Michael Wallis
Articles
Dark Wandering 