On the Road to Oregon: "The Oregon Trail" Quiz

Answer: 1848

The game is set in the year 1848. When you decide in which month to leave, you have a choice of months from March through July. If you leave early in the year you might find snow on the early part of the trail. If you leave late in the year, you might find snow on the trail before you reach the end. In any case, the journey on the Oregon Trail usually took 4-6 months.

Answer: Independence, Missouri

The text of the game indicates this at several points including when you are purchasing your initial supplies at the general store. In history, Independence was a common starting point for the trail, but other towns were also jumping off points.

Answer: ten pairs of clothing

Five pairs of clothing cost $100 ($10 each). Two yokes of oxen are $80 ($40 each). 100 pounds of food is $20 (20 cents each pound). Two spare wagon wheels is $20 ($10 each). While you can buy additional supplies at the forts along the trail, their prices are generally more expensive.

Answer: Fort Kearney

Fort Kearney was established in 1848 and was in what is now south-central Nebraska. It was established as a way station for travellers on the Oregon Trail. Fort Laramie, founded in 1834 as Fort William, lay in south-eastern Wyoming and was a fur-trading post. Fort Hall and Fort Boise both lay in what is now Idaho.

Answer: Chimney Rock

Chimney Rock is in Western Nebraska and stands 315 feet tall. It is currently a National Historic Site. I had an opportunity to see it in person during a car trip between Maryland and Colorado and I would agree with the historical record that it is pretty impressive.

Independence Rock lies in central Wyoming. Travellers on the trail were advised to reach Independence Rock by Independence Day (July 4).

Answer: Take the bridge

To ford the river means to drive your wagon through as the river was a deep puddle. This is only a good idea if the river is two feet deep or less. Caulking your wagon to make it waterproof and floating across is suggested for deeper rivers. If your wagon tips over you may lose some items. Taking the ferry is safer, but costs money and may involve a wait.

There are no bridges in this version of the "Oregon Trail" game.

Answer: Number of people

On the screen you see the following pieces of information: Date, Weather Conditions on the Trail, Health, Amount of Food Left, Miles to Next Landmark, Miles Traveled. A pop-up appears if a member of the group comes down with a disease, suffers a serious injury, or dies. The game also announces the name of the major landmark at which you've arrived.

Answer: Syphilis

Dysentery is a intestinal disease. Cholera is a bacterial infection. Measles, a viral infection, causes a body wide rash. Syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease, is not mentioned in the game (perhaps because the game was geared towards children).

Answer: teacher

A banker starts with $1600 and receives no bonus at the end of the game. A carpenter starts with $800 and receives two times the base score at the end of the game. A farmer starts with $400 and receives four times the base score at the end of the game. Although other versions of Oregon Trail have included teacher as a choice in professions, the 1990 version does not.

Answer: Grow wheat and corn

You can purchase bullets and attempt to shoot wild game, although you are limited to how much you can bring back. On the trail you might be fortunate enough to find wild fruit. If you have money, you can purchase food at one of the forts, although it is more expensive than in Independence. The game does not give you an option to plant any crops.