Welcome to the first episode of American West Live!
In 1844 the Stephens-Townsend-Murphy Party left Council Bluffs, Iowa with 50 members and 11 wagons, with the goal of reaching Sacramento, California, 2,000 miles to the west and beginning a new life of freedom and prosperity. This seven-month journey, ending in triumph with all 50 members surviving, in fact 52 as two babies were born along the way, and becoming the first pioneers to get a wagon to California, was overshadowed in history by the ill-fated Donner Party of 1846 and the Gold Rush of 1849. We are taking a deep dive into this inspiring story starting with The First Wagons to California.
Interested in learning more? Read the whole story here
History Expeditions Website
