The Diversity of the American Pioneer

The Western Frontier actually began in the late 1700's and early 1800's with the opening of the Cumberland Gap and settling the "other side" of the Appalachian Mountains.

The Wilderness Road, by which Daniel Boone traveled, ran through the Ohio Valley in areas of Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio and beyond. Parts of Indiana in which I lived were a good distance north of the Ohio River and still had the markers to show it was part of the original Wilderness Road.

These early pioneers were men and women from the Eastern Seaboard wanting more space from the crowded cities of their forefathers and moved as far west as the Great Plains to become farmers, ranchers and fur traders.

In the Southwest, Mexicans and Hispanic pioneers settled in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and California as ranchers and farmers.

In Utah the Morman settlers made Salt Lake City their home, and become great farmers, while the post Civil War era saw many freedmen and freedwomen move west to establish a new way of life.

Of course, the Native Americans were instrumental in pioneer life in the West - sometimes at peace and sometimes a war with the settlers, trying to protect the land they had lived on.

As such, many mixed marriages became part of the new frontier including Anglo-Hispanic, Anglo-Black, and Ango-Indian. Although it would be years before the Chinese were afforded citizenship, they also played a role in the founding of the Western Frontier and also married many of the Anglo settlers.

Our American Frontier is made up of many nationalities and races of Americans. All of these pioneers had a common interest - change. Whether they wanted more "breathing room", more opportunity to follow their dreams, or a way to start a completely new lifestyle, they all headed west in the 1800's.

Next time we'll discuss more of the day to day life of these pioneers - how the towns were settled and what were these pioneers' priorities when they arrived at their destination.

If you have something to say, feel free to comment on the topic!

Until next time,
Julie