1824 - Blazing the Oregon Trail

        After finding South Pass through the Rocky Mountains, Thomas Fitzpatrick crossed over the entered the Green river valley.  There, he and his men made a 'fine catch' of beaver in this virgin field, then doubled back across the divide, once again, at South Pass. 

       Fitzpatrick made his way back to the Missouri with his good news.  He traveled by way of the Sweetwater and the North Platte rivers, thus opening the route that he was to make famous, twelve years later, as the Oregon Trail.