In May 1937, the Oregon Trail Memorial Association published a report/promotional piece on its activities -
America's Historical Opportunity. Oregon Trail Memorial Association's America's Historical Opportunity Report - Front Cover
The booklet summarizes the activities and accomplishments of the Memorial Association from its inception through its publication. It opens with recognition of the important early efforts of Ezra Meeker and continues through to an outline of post-publication plans.
One Association accomplishment worthy of special note:
"Approximately two hundred new monuments have been erected at various strategic spots along the pioneer trails."
The Public Law that enabled the Oregon Trail Memorial half dollar included among its purposes "to commemorate by suitable monuments, memorial or otherwise, the tragic events associated with that emigration - erecting them either along the trail itself or elsewhere, in localities appropriate for the purpose." So, it's nice to read about the Association's progress on this front.
As I read through the booklet, two other things jumped out at me:
First, the Association did not list the commemorative coin among its "outstanding accomplishments." To be fair, however, the list was qualified by "the past five years" which did not include the timeframe of the coin's original journey through Congress.
Second, It described the 1936 Oregon Trail coins used as a fundraiser by the Whiman Mission Centennial group as "a donation" vs. the Whitman group purchasing them from the Trail Memorial Association.
In a previous thread (
What If? 1936 Whitman Mission Centennial), I described the Whitman group's acquisition of the 1936 coins as a "purchase." The information I had at the time of the previous post about the half dollars is in conflict with 1937's
America's Historical Opportunity report. I want to say that the report supercedes the previous information I had, but as the report was a promotional tool I allow that it might have "stretched" the truth to present the Association in the best possible light. (Time for a bit more digging!)
The Oregon Trail Memorial Association offers many stories regarding its efforts in the 1920s and 1930s on behalf of the Trail - I'm sure it will be the subject of a future post of mine.
1936 Oregon Trail Memorial Half Dollar
For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including other stories of the Oregon Trail half dollars, see:
Commems Collection.
Posted 10/15/2023 3:23 pm
