Levi Scott Leads First Wagons on Applegate Trail

It has taken 129 years to publish Levi Scott’s reminiscence of leading the first pioneers on the Applegate Trail. Emigrating to Oregon in 1844, Scott soon joined other Willamette Valley settlers, including Applegate brothers Jesse and Lindsay, in searching for a southern alternative to the Oregon Trail’s perilous Columbia River route. After reaching Fort Hall in today’s Idaho, Jesse Applegate encouraged 75 wagons to take the route also known as Applegate’s Cut-off and the Southern Emigrant Road.