On July 24, 1832, Benjamin Bonneville made history by leading the first wagon trains over the Rocky Mountains, navigating the South Pass in Wyoming along the infamous Oregon Trail.

A bold American officer serving in the United States Army, Bonneville set out on what would become a groundbreaking expedition. After securing Army leave, he connected with John Jacob Astor, who was eager to invest in the fur trade across the Rockies and the Far West. Armed with this financial support, Bonneville departed on May 1, 1832, accompanied by 110 men, 20 wagons, and a contingent of mules, horses, and oxen headed west. The party had traveled past Chimney Rock and Scott's Bluff by June, and as mid-July arrived, the Rocky Mountains loomed ahead. Pushing through the South Pass and deep into the Rockies, the expedition achieved a remarkable triumph of courage and determination.

Fun Facts

  • Benjamin Louis Eulalie de Bonneville — a fur trapper, explorer, and United States Army officer who roamed the American West — carved out a pivotal place in history by spearheading the first wagon train expedition to cross the Rocky Mountains, marking a major milestone in the exploration of the American West.
  • Bonneville's forward-thinking approach led him to believe that wagons would outperform pack trains for his Rocky Mountain journey. This bold choice turned out to be a game-changer for exploration across the American West.
  • Captain Bonneville and his crew relied on covered wagons known as Prairie Schooners to haul themselves and their supplies. Constructed from wood and fitted with iron around the wheels, these wagons were built to endure the grueling trek.
  • Stretching 20 miles across southwest Wyoming, the South Pass served as a vital geographical corridor. By offering a far more manageable route through the Rocky Mountains, it dramatically eased the passage for wagon trains. Its importance to American West exploration is hard to overstate.
  • Benjamin Bonneville and his men reached the Sweetwater in mid-July 1832, where they caught their final glimpse of the Rocky Mountains before making their crossing.