INTRODUCTION TO THE RESOURCES:
. . . . The Old National Trail was the main connection from the East to the Western Trails.  We will use information from Oregon Trail, and other Trails websites for information about the National Trail.  The Old National Trail started out very rough, but as the years went by, there would be way-stops (kind of like inns, but not really) ferry boats, and tiny communities of people who served the pioneer travelers.  The trail was made of dirt with trees blazed off (maximum of 14 inch stumps allowed).  Many important pioneers started their journey to Oregon, California, Texas and Utah on the National Trail to Vandalia, Illinois.