On July 24, 1832, Benjamin Bonneville became the first to bring wagon trains across the Rocky Mountains through the South Pass in Wyoming on the notorious Oregon Trail. 

Bonneville, a courageous American officer in the United States Army, embarked on a daring journey. His request for Army leave was confirmed, and he met John Jacob Astor, a willing sponsor interested in the Rockies and Far West fur trade. With financial backing in place, on May 1, 1832, Bonneville and his 110 men, 20 wagons, mules, horses, and oxen set out on a westward journey. By June, they had passed between Chimney Rock and Scott’s Bluff, and by mid-July, they had approached the Rocky Mountains. They crossed the South Pass and ventured into the Rockies, a feat of courage and determination.

Fun Facts 

• Benjamin Louis Eulalie de Bonneville, a United States Army officer, fur trapper, and explorer in the American West, played a pivotal role as he led the first wagon train expedition across the Rocky Mountains, a significant milestone in American West exploration.
• With his foresight and ingenuity, Bonneville believed that wagons would be more efficient than pack trains in his journey to the Rocky Mountains. This decision would prove to be a game-changer in American West exploration.
• The covered wagon—called a Prairie Schooner—was the vehicle of choice for carrying Captain Bonneville, his team, and their belongings. These wagons were made of wood with iron around the wheels.
• The South Pass, a 20-mile stretch located in southwest Wyoming, was a crucial geographical feature. It facilitated the crossing of the Rocky Mountains, making it significantly easier for the wagon trains to navigate this challenging terrain. Its significance in American West exploration cannot be overstated.
• In mid-July 1832, Benjamin Bonneville and his men arrived at the Sweetwater and caught the last view of the Rocky Mountains before they crossed over.