A Photo Tour to California Via the
Southern Route to
Oregon/Yreka Trail
Photos copyright by Keith Arnold

BLOODIEST OF ALL TRAILS WEST

"Bloodiest of all Trails West,""Land of the Burnt Out fires," "Old Lake Country" border of Oregon Territory - describes the territory which was forty second latitude, and joint British and U.S.A. occupancy.  To the South was Mexican Territory until 1846.  When the Southern Route (South Road) was opened in 1846, there were very little problems with the Indians.  Discovery of gold in Shasta Valley and Southern Oregon came in 1851.  In 1852 the trail to Yreka from the Southern route to Oregon (Applegate Trail) was opened.  Usage of this route by the emigrants dramatically increased, as did the Indian difficulties.  Between 1837-1857, there were 242 killings; approximately two thirds of the killings occurred between 1851-57.  All this led up to the 1872-73 Modoc War.

-- Richard Silva