The Great Fur Trade Road: Discovery and Exploration 1739-1843

By Fred R. Gowans

ISBN 9616480-2-3

201 pages, softcover, $35.00

Reviewed by Todd D. Glover

      I had the pleasure of attending the Oregon-California Trails Association's annual conference held in Salt Lake City in March 1994. The keynote address at the convention was Dr. Fred R. Gowans' presentation of his latest research effort, The Great fur Trade Road: Discovery and Exploration 1739-1843.  For those fortunate enough to know Dr. Gowans personally and for those familiar with his past significant contributions to fur trade research, this latest book has been anticipated with much excitement.

    Dr. Gowans maintains that the route from St. Louis to the Pacific northwest, which eventually became famous as the Oregon Trail, was in fact a well-known and extensively used trade and exploration corridor long before the hordes of westbound immigrants flooded along its courses.  Every major exploration or trading enterprise that took place along the length of the trail or any portion of it is covered.  Beginning with the early Spanish and French expeditions in 1739, to Lewis and Clark, the Astorians, Stephen H. Long, Ashley and Henry, and many others, ending with the Fremont expeditions of 1842 and 1843.

    A collection of archival maps of the time are included and make fascinating study.  Numerous quotes from journals, along with photographs of significant and oft-mentioned landmarks, make this book a must for anyone who is interested in retracing the route or who is simply interested in Western fur trade history.

    Dr. Gowans is recognized and respected as one of the foremost Western fur trade historians alive today.  His other published works include Rocky Mountain Rendezvous, The Mountain Man and Grizzly, and A Fur Trade History of Yellowstone Park.  In this book he has again furthered our understanding of this great period of history.  The Great Fur Trade Road will be a valuable addition to any fur trade enthusiast's library. 

    Mountain Grizzly Publications, Orem, UT  84057.

@ 2007 ScurlockPublishing Co., Inc. All rights reserved.