Surveying the Mullan Trail
Lieutenant Mullan completes a successful survey of a new mountain route, paving the way for immigration and rail in the Pacific Northwest.
The exploration of the Northern Railway route was borne by an express recently arrived from the camp of Lieutenant Mullan in the St. Mary’s River. He crossed the Rocky mountains to Fort Benton, and on his return brought a wagon in which was attached four mules. The distance, two hundred miles, was accomplished in 12 days. Lieutenant Mullan took the high ground between the mountains and Town Creek, so as to avoid the deep ravines. He described the entire route as a wagon road over rolling country, the deck half a mile from base to base, as a level prairie ridge, and so gradually sloping upon either side, that in their descent not only were the wheels not locked, but the train moved down at a trot.
“It is evident that before long the Mullan trail will be a great thoroughfare for immigration to our shores.”
The Mullan Road eventually connected Fort Walla Walla to Fort Benton, Montana. This 1854 report marks the early optimism for trans-continental connections that would eventually define the growth of Olympia and the Puget Sound region.
From readers
No comments yet. If you know something about this story — a correction, a family memory, a source — it belongs here.