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eBook
Library of Congress

Loc: American Memory: Expedition of the Donner Party

For Students 9th - 10th
The youngest daughter of George Donner tells the harrowing tale of her family's ill-fated journey at this site from the Library of Congress. This is primary source material.
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Article
Other

De Young Museum: Analyze California Art Objects (I Notice . . . I Wonder . . .)

For Students 9th - 10th
This pdf file is a multi-discipline analysis of the painting "View of Donner Pass", which guides one through the process of asking questions about an artwork in order to understand it's historic relevance.
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Website
Other

Oregon California Trails Association: New Light on the Donner Party

For Students 9th - 10th
The myths, mysteries, and facts are revealed at this Donner Party site. At the beginning of November 1846, a group of California-bound immigrants was trapped by snow in the Sierra Nevada. By the time the last member reached safety six...
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Lesson Plan
San Diego State University

Sdsu College of Education: Westward Movement

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
A group of organized lessons provides ideas for teachers when planning a unit on westward expansion in the US. Some activities include planning what to pack in your wagon, learning what obstacles were faced, mapping, and more.
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Handout
Utah Education Network

Uen: Utah History Encyclopedia: Donner Party

For Students 9th - 10th
This article recounts the tragic Donner Party, a wagon train bound for California in 1846 whose members resorted to cannibalism after getting stuck in the winter snow.
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Handout
Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum

Cprr Photographic History Museum: Tunnels of the Pacific Railroad

For Students 9th - 10th
This site offers an abstract from Van Nostrand's Eclectic Engineering Magazine from 1870 from a paper by John R. Gilliss. A comprehensive look at the tunnels built along the route of the Central Pacific Railroad and the Union Pacific...