Jedediah Smith, in full Jedediah Strong Smith, (born January 6, 1799, Bainbridge, New York, U.S.—died May 27, 1831, near the Cimarron River), trader and explorer who was the first American to enter California from the east and return from it using an overland route.
What did Jedediah discover?
From May to June 1827, explorer and trapper Jedediah Smith found a route from California’s central valley to the Great Salt Lake Valley in Utah. He became the first European American to completely cross what is now Nevada.
Why is Jedediah Smith a hero?
He discovered The Great Salt Lake in Utah, and rediscovered the Oregon Trail, since it had been forgotten for ten years. As he trapped and adventured out West, he demonstrated leadership skills, since he was captain of his group. … These qualities of courage, leadership, and biblical principles make Smith my hero.
Why is Jedediah Strong Smith significant in California history?
Smith led the first documented exploration from the Salt Lake frontier to the Colorado River. … From there, Smith’s party became the first United States citizens to cross the Mojave Desert into what is now the state of California but which at that time was part of Mexico.
Why was the South Pass important?
South Pass was perhaps the most important landmark along the emigrant trails. It marked the end of the long ascent to the Continental Divide and the emigrants’ arrival at the frontier of the Oregon country. It was also thought to be the halfway point along the trail.
Did Jedediah Smith work for a trapping company?
In 1825, Smith became a partner in Ashley’s fur trapping business. In 1826, Smith and two friends bought the Rocky Mountain Fur Company from his former boss. The new company, named Smith, Jackson and Sublette for its owners, became one of the most successful of all fur trapping companies.
What challenges did Jedediah face?
The beast broke several of his ribs, tore away one eyebrow, gashed his scalp in numerous places, and practically destroyed one of his ears. Smith’s companions hurriedly attended to his wounds, but because deep scars remained, Smith wore shoulder-length hair for the rest of his life.
How old is Jedediah Smith?
Ironically, being a trader proved more deadly than exploring: while leading a trading caravan along the Santa Fe Trail in 1831, Smith was killed by Commanche Indians near the Cimarron River. He was 32 years old.
Why did Jedediah Smith become a trapper?
Smith was born on January 6, 1799, at Bainbridge, New York but, was raised in Pennsylvania and Ohio. After receiving some education and a strong religious upbringing, he made his way to St. Louis, Missouri in 1822, determined to become a trapper.
Did Jedediah Smith get attacked by a grizzly bear?
Jedediah S. It was along the Cheyenne River (near Buffalo Gap and Beaver Creek in current-day southwestern South Dakota) where Smith was savagely attacked by a Grizzly bear, and where fellow explorer Jim Clyman stitched Smith’s scalp back to his head. …
What were Jedediah Smith’s most important characteristics?
What do you think were his most important characteristics? Jedediah Smith was a trailblazer and beaver hunter. He went out with a group to go beaver hunting and was attacked by a bear. He lived and kept going on the same hike.
What did the trails forged by Jedediah Smith eventually become?
He would spend most of his years in the fur trade on expeditions that took him to the Upper Missouri River Country, across Wyoming and into what became Jackson Hole (named for Jackson). As an explorer Smith broke trails through the Rocky Mountains and then pushed into California, Oregon and Washington.
Who discovered the South Pass?
Louis safely on April 30, 1813. The seven white men who “discovered” South Pass were Robert Stuart, Ramsay Crooks, Benjamin Jones, François LeClerc, Robert McClellan, Joseph Miller and André Vallé.
How did South Pass get its name?
South Pass got its name to distinguish it from the tedious and difficult northern route through the Rocky Mountains taken in 1805 and 1806 by Lewis and Clark through the Bitterroot Mountains. As any aficionado of the Corps of Discovery knows, the Bitterroots nearly destroyed the dreams of that expedition.
Why are there two continental divides in Wyoming?
Between 34 and 56 million years ago, a lake filled the Great Divide Basin as well as the Green River Basin. Lake Gosiute dried up millions of years ago but left behind silica and layers of rock that created the floors of both basins.
Is Jedediah Bila still on Fox News?
In August 2016, Bila departed Fox News to join the ABC daytime talk show The View as a permanent co-host during its 20th season. … In April 2019, she was named a permanent co-host of the morning news and talk program Fox & Friends Weekend. Bila parted ways with Fox News in May 2021.
What was Kit Carson childhood like?
Early Life
He grew up on the Missouri frontier on lands bought from the sons of frontiersman Daniel Boone. From an early age, Carson knew both the beauty and the danger that this area possessed. He and his family often feared attacks on their cabin from Native Americans.
Who was Jed Smith What was his impact on westward expansion?
His explorations were significant in opening the American West and he was the first white man to cross what would become Utah and Nevada, the first to enter California by the overland route, to cross the High Sierras, and the first explorer to reach Oregon overland by traveling up the California coast.
What mountain man was attacked by bear?
Hugh Glass | |
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Other names | Old Hugh, Old Rinoe, Old Glass |
Occupation | Frontiersman, trapper, fur trader, hunter, explorer |
Employer | Rocky Mountain Fur Company, Jean Lafitte, self-employed |
Known for | Surviving a grizzly bear attack |
Who was the first white man to set eyes on the Great Salt Lake?
The first white men to set eyes on the Uinta Basin and Uinta Mountains were members of the small Spanish expedition from Santa Fe headed by Fray Silvestre Velez de Escalante and Fray Francisco Atanasio Dominguez. The expedition crossed into Utah and the Uinta Basin several miles northeast of present day Jensen.
Why did Boone hate Shawnee?
Daniel Boone may have hated the Shawnee because they once held him captive and attacked his town.
Who is the leader of the wagon train heading west?
June 1846, a wagon train heads west. Its leader is George Donner.
Who discovered the Oregon Trail?
Robert Stuart of the Astorians (a group of fur traders who established Fort Astoria on the Columbia River in western Oregon) became the first white man to use what later became known as the Oregon Trail. Stuart’s 2,000-mile journey from Fort Astoria to St.
Who crossed the Rockies?
The Scottish explorer Alexander Mackenzie, searching for a river course to the Pacific Ocean from the Canadian prairie, crossed the Rockies (1792–93) at a latitude higher than any other expedition until the early 19th century.
Who were the astorians?
The Astorians were the first fur traders to arrive. New York entrepreneur John Jacob Astor sent two groups of clerks to the Columbia River country—one by sea and the other by land.