History

A sepia-toned map covered with the numbered grids of the Public Land Survey System. Roads crisscross the map in every direction. A clump of hills rises in the northeast corner. A river, dotted with marshes, crosses from east to west. 
Historic trails can be difficult to trace, but this 1883 survey map offers clues. It shows the Sweetwater River east of South Pass, Wyoming, a key route for travelers on the Oregon, California, Mormon Pioneer, and Pony Express trails.

United States General Land Office. Original Survey for Township 28N, Range 99W, Fremont County, Wyoming (1883). Scale 1:1,600. Accessed September 30, 2026.

We work with partners, researchers, and the general public to support trail research and provide accurate, balanced, and engaging historical content. We serve as a repository for trail knowledge and resources, including library collections and trail bibliographies. We are also writers and editors, who work closely with interpreters to tell the stories of our national historic trails.

We Can Help You With:

  • Questions about trail history
  • Support for trail-related research, including finding and applying for funding
  • Speaking about national historic trails and public history with college-level students
  • Discussing and evaluating proposed route refinements
  • Recommendations for primary and secondary source materials
  • Partnership certification of historic sites and interpretive facilities

Contact Us

Last updated: November 2, 2026

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