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 The
Whitmans were instrumental in the establishment of the Oregon Trail.
Mrs. Narcissa Whitman and Mrs. Eliza Spalding demonstrated that
women could make the overland journey. Dr. Marcus Whitman strongly
promoted the ability of wagons to complete the journey. The Whitmans'
mission at Waiilatpu provided necessary aid and supplies to the
weary travelers.
Narcissa and Eliza became the first white women
to make the journey across the continent. Articles about this trip
appeared in eastern newspapers. These two women became role models
for the women and families who would eventually travel the Oregon
Trail.
Ironically, although the Whitmans helped to establish
the Oregon Trail, they themselves were not able to bring their wagons
to their mission site. Even though his initial attempt failed, Marcus
never lost faith that wagons would eventually make the trip. In
1842 Marcus traveled east to speak directly with members of the
American Board about decisions they had made concerning the Oregon
Country missions. Marcus traveled home with the large wagon train
of 1843, "The Great Migration." Under his guidance this
wagon train became the first to take their wagons all the way to
the Columbia River.
The mission at Waiilatpu was well situated to
help those traveling to the Willamette Valley. Early on the Whitmans
realized the strategic location of their mission. In 1840 Narcissa
wrote to her mother:
"A tide of immigration appears to be moving
this way rapidly. … We are emphatically situated on the highway
between the States and the Columbia river, and are a resting place
for the weary travelers, consequently a greater burden rests upon
us than upon any of our associates - to be always ready."
To help these travelers the Whitmans expanded
their crops. For those who were traveling too slowly, the mission
was a place to spend the winter.
The mission continued to serve the weary travelers
until the Whitmans' deaths in 1847.
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