LOCK JHER UP LOCK HER UP mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Legends of America
Legends of America
Traveling through American history, destinations & legends since 2003.
Search for:
Facebook Twitter Email Pinterest
Primary Menu
Skip to content
Home
What’s New
About Us/More
Contact
Privacy Policy
Newsletter
Social Media
Travel Blog
Resources & Credits
U.S. History
20th Century History
Discovery and Exploration
Exploration of America
Fur Trade
Overland Trails
Spanish Exploration
Westward Expansion
More …
Early America
Historic People
African Americans
Cowboys & Trail Blazers
Explorers
Gunfighters
Heroes and Patriots
Lawmen
Native Americans
Outlaws
Presidents of the United States
Soldiers
Women
More…
Native Americans
Heroes and Leaders
Indian Wars
Myths & Legends
Notable Native Americans
Tribes
More …
Old West
Feuds & Range Wars
Fur Trade
Lost Treasure
Mining
Overland Trails
People
Vices
Westward Expansion
More …
Transportation
American Automobile History
Byways & Historic Trails – Great Drives in America
The Railroad Crosses America
Stagecoaches of the American West
Tales & Trails of the American Frontier
True Crime in America
Bank Robbers & Thieves
Famous Unsolved Crimes
Gangsters, Mobsters & Outlaws of the 20th Century
Missing & Kidnapped in America
Murders and Mysterious Deaths
Outlaw Gangs
Outlaws Across America
Pirates of America
Scoundrels in American History
Serial Killers of America
Terrorism in the United States
Train Robberies of America
The Vice-Laden Wild West
War & Military
American Revolution
Civil War
Forts & Presidios
Heroes and Patriots
Indian Wars
Soldiers and Officers in American History
More …
More…
Destinations
Byways & Trails
Forts
Ghost Towns
Great Cities of America
Missions & Presidios
National Parks
Route 66
Roadside Attractions
RV Related
States
Vanished America
Travel Blog
More…
Geography
Regions of the United States
United States Maps
Learning Opportunities
Legends, Ghosts, & Mysteries
American Mysteries
Folklore & Superstition
Ghost Stories
Monsters & Strange Creatures
Native American Legends
Treasure Tales
Witchcraft in America
More …
Legends’ General Store
Americana
Native American
Old West
Route 66
Books, Magazines & More
CD’s & DVD’s
Digital Downloads
Postcards
Posters & Wall Art
T-Shirts
Legends’ Photo Shop
Ghost Towns
Native American
Old West
Route 66
States & Places
Legends’ Videos
Much More!
Soda Springs, Idaho – Curiosity on the Oregon Trail
Soda Spring Geyser
Soda Spring Geyser
Located along a shortcut on the Oregon-California Trail off of the main route to Fort Hall, Idaho is Soda Springs. These natural bubbling pools of carbonated water, caused by ancient volcanic activity, were first called “Beer Springs”. Visited by local Indians, fur traders, and trappers prior to the days of the Oregon Trail emigrations, the springs were rightfully considered to be one of the marvels of the overland trails.
At the time that pioneers were headed west for California and Oregon, there was an abundance of springs and water in the area and it became known as the “Oregon Trail Oasis.”
Emigrants frequently took advantage of the hot water to wash clothes, bathing, and medicinal purposes, often noting the picturesque scenery of the area and the smell that came from the springs. On July 24, 1838, Sarah White Smith stated:
“Traveled… along the bank of the Bear River & are encamped at Soda Springs. This is indeed a curiosity. The water tastes like soda water, especially artificially prepared. The water is bubbling and foaming like boiling water. I drank of it… We find it excellent for baking bread, no preparation of water is necessary. Take it from the fountain & the bread is as light as any prepared with yeast.”
The development of the town of Soda Springs and the building of Alexander Reservoir has destroyed or covered many of these historic springs; however, Steamboat Spring, Wagonbox Grave, Hooper Spring, Octagon Spring, and two short traces of ruts can still be seen in the area. In Hooper Springs Park, visitors can sample the carbonated water just as westward-bound travelers did some 160 years ago.
Soda Springs is also the home of the world’s largest man-made geyser. The geyser was created in 1937 when engineers were attempting to find a hot water source for a swimming pool. On November 30, 1937, the drill went down 315 feet and unleashed the geyser. The extreme pressure. caused by carbon dioxide gas mixing with water in an underground chamber, caused water to shoot 100 feet into the sky. It is now capped and controlled by a timer and erupts every hour on the hour. It is the only captive geyser in the world.
Wagon Box Grave
Wagon Box Grave
Another interesting site is the Wagon Box Grave in Fairview Cemetery. In the summer of 1861, a family of seven on their way to Oregon was camped in the vicinity of Soda Creek and the Bear River. Their horses had strayed and the family fell behind the main part of the wagon train to search for them. Sometime during the night, they were killed by Indians. The bodies were found the next morning by members of the larger party. One man, George Goodheart, related their burial as follows:
“We then covered them all up with quilts, and took the upper sideboards and sawed them so they would fit across the wagon box. We put some across over the old Folks’ faces and some over the children’s faces at the foot. Then we got some willows from Soda Creek and cut them so as to cover the whole length of the wagon box. We then spread quilts over them, covered them with dirt, and set four formation rocks, one at each corner.”
©Kathy Weiser/Legends of America, updated February 2020.
Also See:
California Trail
Idaho – The Gem State
Oregon Trail
Oregon-California Trail Timeline
Sources:
History Globe
National Park Service
Soda Springs, Idaho
Share this with friends
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Share
Go to:
Old West Main Page
Show Your Support
Footer Menu
Skip to content
About Us/Contact
Photo Travel Blog
Legends of Kansas Website
Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2024 Legends of America. All Rights Reserved
Home
What’s New
About Us/More
Contact
Privacy Policy
Newsletter
Social Media
Travel Blog
Resources & Credits
U.S. History
20th Century History
Discovery and Exploration
Exploration of America
Fur Trade
Overland Trails
Spanish Exploration
Westward Expansion
More …
Early America
Historic People
African Americans
Cowboys & Trail Blazers
Explorers
Gunfighters
Heroes and Patriots
Lawmen
Native Americans
Outlaws
Presidents of the United States
Soldiers
Women
More…
Native Americans
Heroes and Leaders
Indian Wars
Myths & Legends
Notable Native Americans
Tribes
More …
Old West
Feuds & Range Wars
Fur Trade
Lost Treasure
Mining
Overland Trails
People
Vices
Westward Expansion
More …
Transportation
American Automobile History
Byways & Historic Trails – Great Drives in America
The Railroad Crosses America
Stagecoaches of the American West
Tales & Trails of the American Frontier
True Crime in America
Bank Robbers & Thieves
Famous Unsolved Crimes
Gangsters, Mobsters & Outlaws of the 20th Century
Missing & Kidnapped in America
Murders and Mysterious Deaths
Outlaw Gangs
Outlaws Across America
Pirates of America
Scoundrels in American History
Serial Killers of America
Terrorism in the United States
Train Robberies of America
The Vice-Laden Wild West
War & Military
American Revolution
Civil War
Forts & Presidios
Heroes and Patriots
Indian Wars
Soldiers and Officers in American History
More …
More…
Destinations
Byways & Trails
Forts
Ghost Towns
Great Cities of America
Missions & Presidios
National Parks
Route 66
Roadside Attractions
RV Related
States
Vanished America
Travel Blog
More…
Geography
Regions of the United States
United States Maps
Learning Opportunities
Legends, Ghosts, & Mysteries
American Mysteries
Folklore & Superstition
Ghost Stories
Monsters & Strange Creatures
Native American Legends
Treasure Tales
Witchcraft in America
More …
Legends’ General Store
Americana
Native American
Old West
Route 66
Books, Magazines & More
CD’s & DVD’s
Digital Downloads
Postcards
Posters & Wall Art
T-Shirts
Legends’ Photo Shop
Ghost Towns
Native American
Old West
Route 66
States & Places
Legends’ Videos
Much More!
Information from your device can be used to personalize your ad experience.
Do not sell or share my personal information.
A Raptive Partner Site🫧⋆｡˚🪨
🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧˚🪨🫧🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧🪨🫧⋆｡˚🪨🫧
