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Applegate-Lassen Emigrant Trail Cutoff

Applegate-Lassen Emigrant Trail Cutoff

Applegate-Lassen Emigrant Trail Cutoff Overview

From 1846-1848, Oregon emigrants successfully traveled the Applegate Trail.

In 1848, Peter Lassen, guided a party of ten to twelve wagons bound for California from here to Goose Lake where he turned southward over terrain that was barely passable. It became known as the “Death Route.”

Category

Trail/Road

Marker Type

Blue marker

Nevada Historical Marker Number

Applegate-Lassen Emigrant Trail Cutoff is Nevada Historical Marker #49.

Click here to view the complete list of Nevada State Historical Markers.

County

Pershing County, Nevada

GPS Coordinates

40.652280, -118.165702

Nevada Historical Marker Transcription

Jesse and Lindsay Applegate headed south from Willamette Valley, Oregon, June 29, 1846, seeking a less hazardous route to that region from the east.  On July 21, they came to a large meadow on the Humboldt River, which is now the nearby Rye Patch Reservoir.  Thus, they established the Applegate Trail.

During the remainder of 1846 and for the next two years, Oregon emigrants successfully traveled this trail.

In 1848, Peter Lassen, hoping to bring emigrants to his ranch, acted as a guide to a party of ten to twelve wagons bound for California.  He followed a route from here to Goose Lake where he turned southward over terrain that was barely passable.  The emigrants suffered great hardships including the loss of many lives and livestock.  It became known as the “Death Route.”

STATE HISTORICAL MARKER NO.  49

STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE

DAIL E. TURNEY

References Used

Applegate-Lassen Emigrant Trail Cutoff