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What Route Did the Duttons Travel in 1883? Including Map

By: Author Anna Stanek

Posted on Last updated: 05/30/2023

What Route Did the Duttons Travel in 1883? Including Map

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1883 tells the origin story of how the Dutton family arrived in Montana. The family has called the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch home for more than 100 years.

John and Margaret joined a European wagon train with their children Elsa and John in hopes to start a new life. The journey across the plains proved to be a challenging one, as the caravan faced many hardships along the way.

Like the Duttons, many real-life Americans made the journey out West on wagon trains, traveling treacherous routes in search of a new home. The most famous of these routes was the Oregon Trail, which spanned over 2,000 miles.

So, what route did the Dutton family travel in 1883 on their way out West?

The Duttons Route in 1883: From Tennessee to Texas to Montana

Originally, James, Margaret, Elsa, and John were from Tennessee. However, they experienced a life of poverty which led them to flee their home in Tennessee for a fresh start.

The Dutton family then traveled to Fort Worth, Texas, to begin their journey to a new life. James is the first to arrive in his family in Texas. Shortly after Margaret, Elsa, and John arrive.

With a scary experience and outlaws running the streets of Fort Worth, James is eager to get his family out of Texas. He finds Pinkerton Agent Shea Brennan who is leading a European immigrant wagon train to Oregon.

James decides to join the wagon train with his family in order to give them a better life. Uncertain as to what his future will hold, he packs up his family and heads West.

The journey proves to be a challenging one, as the caravan faces smallpox scares, bandits, torrential weather, ambushes, and other hardships. The vast Great Plains prove to be a harsh environment that not everyone on the wagon train survives.

Below is a basic map of the route the Dutton family took from Texas to Montana in 1883:

Map of the route the Dutton family take in 1883

Trinity River in Texas

After leaving Fort Worth, the wagon train journeys across the Trinity River in Texas. This is the location where they set up their first camp after beginning their expedition.

The caravan continues to move north alongside the river as they travel through Texas. In the fourth episode of 1883 , they finally cross the river which sadly results in many casualties.

Doan’s Crossing

After crossing the Trinity River, they continue their journey along eastern Texas. In episode six, the wagon train arrives at Doan’s Crossing (Modern day; Vernon, Texas) along the Texas-Oklahoma border.

The crossing consists of a small settlement nestled on the banks of the Red River. The wagon train then crosses the river, traveling through what is now Oklahoma. This area they travel through in episode seven was Commanche territory.

The next section of the Dutton family’s journey takes them through Colorado. The wagon train faces trying times as they survive a fierce storm and troublesome bandits.

Shea suggests to the immigrants that Denver, Colorado would be a good place to settle. However, James has his mind set on leading the group all the way to Oregon.

Fort Casper

Next on the journey, the Duttons travel through Wyoming where they cross Lakota territory. While in Wyoming, the caravan faces grave injuries as Elsa as well as immigrant couple Josef and Risa are in dire need of medical help.

The caravan makes the decision to travel to Fort Casper in order to get the travelers the medical assistance they need. However, upon arriving at the fort they learn that it has been abandoned by the military.

Elsa was shot in the liver by a dirty arrow and while she survived the initial injury the wound then became infected. The doctor at the fort is unable to help Elsa and it becomes clear to her parents she won’t survive the journey to Oregon. The family then makes the decision to head to Montana.

Paradise Valley, Montana

Knowing that she doesn’t have long to live, Elsa asks to choose the place she is buried. Upon the advice from a Crow leader the family met in Montana, she chooses Paradise Valley as her final resting spot.

After burying their daughter, James and Margaret decide to stay in Montana. They establish the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch on the land where Elsa is buried. Meanwhile, the rest of the wagon train finishes the journey to Oregon.

Also read: Where is 1883 Filmed? All Filming Locations

What Route Did the Oregon Trail Follow?

The Oregon Trail was a 2,170-mile-long wagon trail used by pioneers throughout the 1800s. The route connected the Missouri River to the valleys of Oregon, spanning across Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon.

The Oregon Trail depicted on a map of the United States of America

After making their way from Texas, the wagon train sets to follow the Oregon Trail. However, Elsa’s injury and then death leads the Duttons on another path to Montana.

For the rest of the European immigrant train, they followed the Oregon Trail after Fort Casper. While some chose to stay with Shea and winter in Montana before finishing the journey, others headed straight to Oregon.

Elsa’s death proved to be fundamental in the storyline of the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch. If she didn’t die, the Duttons would have continued their journey to Oregon and not settled in Montana.

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Where was 1883 filmed? Guide to ALL the Filming Locations of the Yellowstone spin-off

Isabel May as Elsa Dutton

1883 Filming Locations

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travel map of 1883

Doan’s Crossing 1883 Map – Uncovering The Duttons’ Route

Product 1

Short Answer for “doan’s crossing 1883 map”

Yes, the 1883 map of Doan’s Crossing provides valuable insights into the geographical and political aspects of the Texas-Oklahoma boundary during that time period.

Doan’s Crossing 1883 Map is located near the Texas-Oklahoma boundary, on the banks of the Red River. It is part of the historical landmarks in the area and is associated with boundary disputes between Texas and Oklahoma.

The map provides valuable insights into the geographical and political aspects of the region during that time period.

The 1883 map of Doan’s Crossing serves as a significant historical document that sheds light on the territorial controversies between Texas and Oklahoma. It showcases the specific location of the crossing and its relevance in understanding the boundary disputes of that era.

The map holds important information for researchers, historians, and anyone interested in the historical evolution of the Texas-Oklahoma boundary.

Key Takeaways for Doan’s Crossing 1883 Map

The 1883 map of Doan’s Crossing provides valuable insights into the geographical and political aspects of the Texas-Oklahoma boundary.

The map showcases the specific location of the crossing and its relevance in understanding the boundary disputes of that era.

The Duttons’ expedition in 1883, from Texas to Montana, serves as a poignant testament to the fortitude and resilience of pioneers in confronting the untamed terrain of the American West.

The historical narrative of the Duttons’ journey remains etched in the annals of American pioneering lore as a stirring testament to the unyielding human spirit in the face of adversity.

The challenging traverse across the Red River and the Texas boundary stood as a vivid representation of the formidable obstacles that dotted their arduous passage, encapsulating the indomitable spirit driving their pursuit of a new life in Montana.

The key takeaways highlight the historical significance of Doan’s Crossing 1883 map, the relevance of the Duttons’ expedition, and the resilient spirit of pioneers in the American West. These points encapsulate the main themes of the article and provide a comprehensive overview of the historical and geographical importance of the map and the Duttons’ journey.

doan's crossing 1883 map - History - doan's crossing 1883 map

The Duttons embarked on an arduous journey in 1883, commencing from Fort Worth in Texas. Their expedition began with the establishment of the initial camp along the banks of the Trinity River, marking the commencement of their pioneering venture. As they traversed through Texas, their voyage was punctuated by the momentous Doan’s Crossing , a pivotal point on the Texas-Oklahoma boundary nestled on the banks of the Red River. This crossing served as a significant juncture during their odyssey.

Duttons’ route in 1883

The Duttons’ route in 1883 encompassed a remarkable traverse from Tennessee to Texas and subsequently to Montana. The expedition commenced at Fort Worth and proceeded across the Trinity River, where their first camp was erected.

This marked the commencement of their rigorous odyssey, a journey that would culminate in paradise Valley, Montana. Notably, the expedition encapsulated a series of formidable terrains, including Doan’s Crossing and Colorado, before culminating in Fort Casper, Wyoming.

Map showing the route

The comprehensive map illustrating the Duttons’ extraordinary expedition showcased their formidable journey from Texas to Montana. The depiction of pivotal junctures such as the Trinity River in Texas and the critical Doan’s Crossing served as a powerful representation of their remarkable odyssey. The map vividly captured their trail through Texas, Colorado, and the eventual culmination in Montana, providing a visual testament to the unforgiving terrains that they conquered on their odyssey.

Crossing the Red River and Texas boundary

During their treacherous journey, the Duttons encountered the formidable task of crossing the Red River and the Texas boundary, a pivotal ordeal that tested their mettle. This crucial juncture marked their transition from Texas into Oklahoma, serving as a compelling testament to their steadfast resolve.

The challenging traverse across the Red River stood as a vivid representation of the formidable obstacles that dotted their arduous passage, encapsulating the indomitable spirit driving their pursuit of a new life in Montana.

The Duttons’ journey in 1883 stands as a poignant testament to the fortitude and resilience of pioneers in confronting the untamed terrain of the American West. Their traversal from Texas to Montana, punctuated by pivotal milestones like Doan’s Crossing, showcased an indomitable spirit and unwavering determination as they sought a new beginning in a land rife with promise and peril.

This historical narrative remains etched in the annals of American pioneering lore as a stirring testament to the unyielding human spirit in the face of adversity.

doan's crossing 1883 map - Conclusion - doan's crossing 1883 map

The 1883 map of Doan’s Crossing stands as a significant historical document that sheds light on the territorial controversies between Texas and Oklahoma. It provides valuable insights into the geographical and political aspects of the region during that time period, showcasing the specific location of the crossing and its relevance in understanding the boundary disputes of that era.

The comprehensive map illustrating the Duttons’ extraordinary expedition showcased their formidable journey from Texas to Montana. The depiction of pivotal junctures such as the Trinity River in Texas and the critical Doan’s Crossing served as a powerful representation of their remarkable odyssey.

The map vividly captured their trail through Texas, Colorado, and the eventual culmination in Montana, providing a visual testament to the unforgiving terrains that they conquered on their odyssey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is modern day doan's crossing, what rivers did they cross in 1883, where is doan in 1883, what is the history of doan's crossing, reference links.

  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_River_Bridge_War
  • https://www.pinterest.com/pin/what-route-do-the-duttons-take-in-1883-explained–384072674481974703/
  • https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/images/pia02634-misr-scans-the-texas-oklahoma-border
  • https://www.britannica.com/place/Red-River

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1883 Gives Yellowstone Fans a Bleak Backstory for the Dutton Family

By Tracy Moore

Image may contain Clothing Apparel Sam Elliott Hat Human Person and Sun Hat

Yellowstone fans who’ve wondered why, exactly, the Dutton clan are such an ornery bunch are about to discover what therapists have been trying to tell us about our own dysfunction for years: It’s all in the family origin story. Now Taylor Sheridan hand delivers the Dutton’s beginnings on horseback in 1883 , a desolate prequel premiering December 19 on Paramount+. The show follows their ancestral rise to cattle ranch power as they make the hardscrabble journey from the South to Montana. Strap down your Stetson, ’cause it’s a grim, bumpy ride—one so dark at times it threatens to overshadow even the most golden sweeping sunsets on those untamed Great Plains.

1883 promises a tale of the Dutton ancestors fleeing a life of poverty for the promised land of Montana. Country stars Tim McGraw and Faith Hill take the leads, playing great-grandfather John Dutton and wife Margaret, with eldest daughter Elsa ( Isabel May ) and 5-year old John ( Rick Audie ) in tow—we’ve already met the latter as the future Dutton Sr. ( Dabney Coleman ) in Yellowstone ’s second season. There’s ample evidence Sheridan intends to ground the show in historical accuracy, too.

In the three episodes provided to critics, we learn John is rendezvousing in Texas with the rest of his family, who arrive from Tennessee on 1882’s just-completed Texas Pacific Railway. McGraw’s no-nonsense brevity and soft heart echoes the scrappier beginnings of Kevin Costner’s Dutton, while Margaret recalls the stern pioneer spirit of Yellowstone matriarch Evelyn ( Gretchen Mol ). Elsa’s unladylike wanderlust and riding skills suggest an earlier incarnation of Yellowstone ’s Beth ( Kelly Reilly ), too; both of them were raised more like boys, and have the kind of tense relationships with their mothers that suggest strong-willed hardness is indeed inherited.

The opening scene of the pilot flashes forward to an unidentified moment, showing narrator Elsa struggling to process a scene of fiery destruction, her wagon smoking with flames behind her. “ Ah remember the first time Ah saw it,” she tells us in a Plantation Southern drawl full of semi-poetic observations. “Ah tried to find words to describe it. But ah couldn’t. Nothin’ had prepared me.”

When the camera pans out to reveal a mid-conflict clash with the local Native tribe that doesn’t look much in the travelers’ favor, she reaches for a pistol, then asks one tribesman if he’ll let her go. “I will sell you,” he says curtly. “Or I will kill you.”

“You speak English,” she says, desperately. “How can you do this?”

“ You speak English,” he replies. “And all your people do this.”

“If this is hell and Ahm in it,” Elsa’s narration returns, “then Ah must be a demon, too.”

Sheridan once told the New York Times that he writes not just for red-state viewers, but to “show you all sides.” Much like Yellowstone , with its thorny juxtapositions of motive in the Montana land tussle, 1883 fulfills this promise. From the first moment, viewers will wonder whether the Native Americans are violent aggressors or rightfully defending their land (or both). Likewise, are these white and newcomer European immigrants courageous adventurers, or disease-spreading, greedy interlopers (or both)?

Before the excruciating journey begins, desperate characters make ill-informed preparations for their trip in the historically turbulent patch of Fort Worth called Hell’s Half Acre . There, the ancestral Duttons meet Shea Brennan ( Sam Elliott ), a Pinkerton agent who’s agreed to lead a horde of migrants for a sum. Elliott’s Brennan has the grieving resignation of someone with nothing to lose, and nothing better to do than glimpse the promised land himself before it’s spoiled by the very settlers he’s guiding. Brennan’s partner and friend Thomas ( LaMonica Garrett ) is a Black agent for the Pinkertons whose stoic patience delivers the sort of carefully calculated reserve a freedman in the era’s survival would depend on. (The Pinkerton Detective Agency, led by the staunch abolitionist Allan Pinkerton, is believed to have hired the first Black and female agents, and had long relied on slave intel to work against the Confederacy.)

Brennan spends most of his time in deeply sad, gruff, no-bullshit mode, reminding the trail noobs that just about everything is capable of killing these fools—especially because they have neither horses nor guns, much less any idea of the numerous deadly threats ahead. No matter how many times he barks at them to boil the river water before drinking it, watch for rattlesnakes, or avoid trails full of bandits lying in wait, they go down with one merciless death after the next.

Fort Worth’s notoriously corrupt lawman Jim Courtright is played here with chilling amoral indifference by Billy Bob Thornton . Likewise, we meet what appears to be Union General George Meade ( Tom Hanks ) in a flashback to Antietam, the bloodiest battle of the Civil War. We see that Dutton was a Confederate soldier on the wrong side of history. As he weeps, surveying a battlefield of total decimation, he’s comforted silently by Meade. Elsa’s narration informs us that Dutton would spend three years in a Union prison, and refuse any association with the Confederacy again. (Sheridan has said to expect more surprise star appearances from the series.)

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Starting the series in Fort Worth allows us to watch the intersections of every type of westbound traveler. By 1883, not all were following Manifest Destiny’s call of Providence; the Gold Rush had long since peaked. Most would-be Oregon Trailers had been given a railway that cut the trip from 6 months by foot to two weeks by train. 1883 ’s travelers are a mix of Oregon- and elsewhere-bound, also navigating threads of the last decade of the Chisolm Trail , a Texas longhorn cattle-driver’s last profitable run to Kansas and beyond before barbed wire cordoned off the land—with Montana as the bonus for the especially hardy.

But the threats along the way will be familiar to any player of the Oregon Trail’s DOS simulation: snake bites, dysentery, food scarcity, river-forging mishaps, vigilantes, and the difficulty of plotting routes around Comanches or Apaches who, as the show notes, stick to the reservation until they don’t. (Historically, Native attacks caused less death than the wilderness itself. So far, Sheridan seems to know his history—but he still gives us the inevitable tensions.)

In Fort Worth, Eastern folk eager to leave a North hostile to immigrants mingle with those fleeing a South reeling from the postwar loss of economic might. We also meet cowboys, pickpockets and thieves blowing off steam in a red-light district of brothels and saloons, where real-life outlaws like Wyatt Earp, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and Doc Holliday laid low until the heat let up. We see prostitutes flatter and cajole male visitors, and newly widowed women beg for husbands. But Sheridan makes it clear they have little choice in an era where sex work or wifehood appear to be the only options, particularly when good men are hard to find—especially living ones, as many drop dead left and right from smallpox, shoot-outs, or any number of mishaps.

Compared to Yellowtone ’s quippy one-liners and affection for comical, often gruesome brawls, 1883 isn’t exactly a fun road trip. But that seems to be the point. Its gritty tale isn’t a romantic portrait of the hardship of the Old West or the cattle drivers who will lead us to one family in Montana. It’s a grim reminder that the wagon-worn, horse-beaten trails leading to supposed freedom—whatever that really meant—are not just littered with abandoned supplies, outlaws, or even the bones of the unlucky. They’re also littered with big questions about the costs and benefits of westward expansion, whose answers depend only on whose perspective you cotton to most. This isn’t just the Duttons’ traumatic origin story; in many ways, it’s the American West’s, too.

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The Complete ‘Yellowstone’ Timeline: From ‘1883’ to Modern-Day Duttons

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If you’re a fan of “Yellowstone,” you know that the show and its spin-off prequel series are filled with beautiful landscapes, seriously dramatic events and scene-stealing characters that you love to hate or hate to love. But what you may not know is all the ins and outs of every character’s past and their lineage, especially the Dutton family. There have been sons, adopted sons, daughters, aunts and uncles taking care of nephews, friends, enemies, legacy-altering events, and we still don’t officially know who John Dutton’s ( Kevin Costner ) grandfather is!

And with the end of “Yellowstone” Season 5 coming later this year — which will also mark the end of the series — now is the perfect time to get the “Yellowstone” timeline all straightened out, especially because the franchise-expanding spin-offs are just getting started.

Note: This article contains spoilers up through “Yellowstone” Season 5

Also Read: 15 Shows Like ‘Yellowstone’ to Watch While You Wait for New Episodes

While “Yellowstone” tells the Dutton ranch’s modern history, the series “1883” covers how the ranch initially laid down its roots and began what we know to be seven generations of Duttons. So that makes this the perfect place to start. And it’s worth noting that while we don’t yet know for sure who John Dutton III’s (Kevin Costner) grandfather is, chances are we’ve come across him already.

In “1883” we meet the post-Civil War generation of the Dutton family in James (Tim McGraw), his wife Margaret (Faith Hill), their daughter Elsa (Isabel May), and young son John. After arriving in Fort Worth, Texas from Tennessee, they hitch up with a whole wagon train heading West, all part of America’s Westward Expansion.

Oregon is the initial desired destination for the Dutton family, but the trip West proves very dangerous, difficult, and even deadly. So much so that after a run-in with Lakota warriors, Elsa sustains what they know to be an eventual lethal injury. After asking to pick out her own gravesite, an Indigenous man points Elsa and the Duttons to an area of Montana known as Paradise Valley. And in an exhilarating bit of foreshadowing, the man says that in seven generations his people will take the land back from the Duttons.

The second season of “1883” will turn its focus away from the Duttons and instead follow legendary lawman, Bass Reeves (David Oyelowo), a former slave who became the first Black U.S. Marshall. No word yet on if members of the Dutton or Rainwater families will pop up, but it seems likely.

There may not be a whole series about the year 1894 but that doesn’t make it any less important in the “Yellowstone” timeline. Because in the pilot episode of “1923,” we learn that Jacob Dutton (Harrison Ford), who is the older brother of James Dutton (Tim McGraw), was called there by Margaret (Faith Hill) to help with the ranch. And after the deaths of James and Margaret, their sons John and Spencer – the latter of which was born after the events of “1883” – were taken in and raised by Jacob and his wife Cara (Helen Mirren), who have no children of their own.

And in the two decades leading up to the events of “1923,” Jacob turned Yellowstone into a small ranching empire, something James and Margaret were not able to do. And not only did that help keep things going during the darkness and depression brought on by the 1920s, it eventually set the family up for generations to come, both financially and politically.

When we are brought into the world of the Duttons in “1923,” we see that Jacob has built up enough power to become the livestock commissioner, which would be the start of a longstanding political empire for the Duttons.

Meanwhile, his oldest nephew John (James Badge Dale), who had become John Sr. by this time, was Jacob’s right-hand man on the ranch and had a son named Jack Dutton (Darren Mann) who was also an adult. Sadly, John Sr. is killed during an ambush by sheep herders that the family is feuding with.

And Jacob’s other nephew, Spencer Dutton (Brandon Sklenar), isn’t there to help defend the ranch in the wake of his brother’s death because he’s off hunting big game in Africa to try and escape the horrors of fighting in the Great War. As things continue to escalate back home in Montana, Cara Dutton writes a letter to Spencer begging him to come home and protect the family’s land. The season ends before we know if he makes it back or not, but with so much emphasis put on Spencer over John Sr. in this series, it’s likely he is more directly linked to John III than John Sr. is.

Not much is known about yet another prequel series potentially coming from the Yellowstone canon, “1944,” but it’s safe to assume that this could fill the gap between “1923” and “Yellowstone” by focusing on the father of John Dutton III (Kevin Costner), John Dutton Jr., as a young man alongside older characters we know from “1923.”

Also Read: ‘1923’ Star Brandon Sklenar Saw a Ghost While Filming the Finale on the Queen Mary: ‘It’s Pretty Wild’

A flashback during Yellowstone’s first season shows the death of John III’s wife Evelyn Dutton (Gretchen Mol) while out horseback riding with kids Beth and Kayce. We come to find out that an inexperienced Beth spooked the horses, causing Evelyn to fall on top of her. The event is something that heavily shapes the person that Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) becomes, and is something that is still mourned by John III decades later.

2018 – Current Time

The current timeline for “Yellowstone” started off with the death of John III’s oldest son Lee Dutton (Dave Annable), which was due to territorial disputes with the nearby Broken Rock reservation.

John’s son Kayce (Luke Grimes), a former Navy Seal, had been living on the reservation with his wife Monica (Kelsey Asbille) and son Tate (Brecken Merril) but returned home to the ranch. The third son in the family, Jamie Dutton (Wes Bentley), pursued a political career and was kicked off the ranch. And John’s only daughter, Beth Dutton, was working for a major bank and also had taken over the ranch’s business dealings.

As the seasons went on the number one antagonist for the Duttons has been the general threat of people wanting to take their land – from developers to Indigenous people and everyone in between. And these threats, mainly from a company called Market Equities, have included attempts on the lives of various members of the Dutton family and, in turn, Dutton family retaliation.

The relationship between John and Jamie has been an interesting ride, especially after we learned that Jamie actually has a different biological father, Garrett Randall (Will Patton), who ultimately tried to take down the Dutton family himself but did not succeed. Instead, Beth blackmailed Jamie into killing Garrett and took video evidence of Jamie dumping the body. A dark moment in the “Yellowstone” timeline for sure.

Aside from dealing with constant threats, the Dutton family has grown a bit too. Beth married longtime ranch hand Rip (Cole Hauser) and they took in an orphan boy and are raising him as their own. Kayce took part in a ritual to become a member of his wife’s tribe, and during that event, he saw some dark visions pertaining to the future of the ranch. He and his wife Monica become pregnant with a second baby, John, but he died before she could give birth after a car accident on the way to the hospital. The baby was buried in an Indigenous American ceremony at the Dutton ranch.

Politically, despite Jamie yearning for the role of Montana Governor, John unexpectedly threw his hat in the ring and of course, won the election, all with the single focus of saving his land by placing it in a conservation easement. But that could be blocked if the state finds out that ranch hands killed protected wolves from the national park.

Meanwhile, the tension between Jamie and the rest of his family continues to build. So much so that Beth and Jamie both seem to be plotting each other’s death as we head into the final episodes of the series. Yikes.

And last we saw, Rip and some other ranch hands brought the herd to Texas for the winter. They’ll be at the 6666 ranch where former Yellowstone employee Jimmy (Jefferson White) works. This will no doubt help set up the “6666” spinoff series that is also on the way, adding yet more drama and loveable characters to the “Yellowstone” timeline.

Also Read: ‘1923’ Star Helen Mirren Goes Deep on the ‘Yellowstone’ Franchise: ‘I See It More as an Examination of the History of America’ (Video)

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1883 Review: Journey Northwest With The Ancestors Of Yellowstone

Tim McGraw in 1883

The Paramount+ series 1883 premieres its first two episodes today and I got a chance to see them in advance. I've also seen the third one, and let me tell you, folks, I'm absolutely hooked. Here is the official info for the show:

Created by Academy Award Nominee Taylor Sheridan, "1883" is the highly anticipated prequel to the Emmy nominated series "Yellowstone." Premiering December 19th on Paramount+, the original series stars Academy Award nominee legend Sam Elliott, Grammy Award Winner Tim McGraw, Grammy Award Winner Faith Hill, Academy Award winner Billy Bob Thornton, Isabel May and LaMonica Garrett. "1883" follows the Dutton family as they embark on a journey west through the Great Plains toward the last bastion of untamed America. It is a stark retelling of Western expansion, and an intense study of one family fleeing poverty to seek a better future in America's promised land – Montana. Produced by MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios, "1883" is executive produced by Sheridan, John Linson, Art Linson, David Glasser, Ron Burkle and Bob Yari.

Setting the Scene

Right off the bat, I want to tell you that you do not have to watch "Yellowstone" to get everything about "1883 ." Though it is connected (and little Audie Rick, who is just the cutest, plays John Dutton Sr.), you don't have to know a single thing about any of the characters or the locations. We're starting off in Texas and heading to Montana, and that's all you need to know. 

The show starts off (and there are very mild spoilers here, but mostly things you'll see in the trailer) with a rough scene in which some of the settlers, including Elsa Dutton (relative newcomer Isabel May), are attacked by a group of Native American fighters. It's dark, but what you take away from it is Elsa's absolute determination to fight for everything she loves. The next scene has what can only be described as an acting tour de force by the beloved Sam Elliott's character, Shea Brennan. I won't tell you what happens, but if you think you loved him before, you'd better prepare yourself. The Elsa scene is a flashforward, and the Shea scene is a flashback. 

We have a full character guide for you from the "1883" actors themselves, but let me lay it out for you. Shea is a veteran of the Civil War, and he's been through absolute hell. He's got severe PTSD, something no one had a name for back then. He and LaMonica Garrett's Thomas (a former Buffalo Soldier who served with Shea) are now Pinkerton agents who are hired to accompany a wagon train Northwest to find new places to settle. 

'That's No Man's Land and That's Where We're Heading'

The wagon train's group includes Tim McGraw's James Dutton, his wife Margaret Dutton (Faith Hill), his daughter Elsa, son John, hired cowboys including Eric Nelsen's Ennis, and a group of Austrian/German immigrants who don't yet have the skills to survive. Among their number are some of the Roma people, who are dealing with prejudice from their fellow immigrants. This is a rough land, and "1883" really makes that clear. From having the group inspected naked for smallpox, to an attempted assault, to bandits and sudden deaths, a journey like this can break you, and it often did. One moment stands out, when a couple in the group is discovered with smallpox sores and told to go lie down by a river and die. No one has time or energy for compassion. And yet...

What's so beautiful about "1883" so far is, despite the harsh life these travelers are leading, there are relationships that are quite beautiful. James has taken his family on this trip because things are rough in the South. He fought at the Battle of Antietam , and it all but broke him. (Just a note: that link has a spoiler for a guest star, so only look if you want to know who it is.) He wants a better life, and unlike many stories like this that we've seen in the past, his family is absolutely on board. (His immediate family, anyway.) 

That relationship I mentioned? It's so lovely. We're seeing a loving and all but equal marriage with James and Margaret. They support each other. Margaret is a powerhouse. She doesn't resent being here, outside of cities and civilization. She's absolutely on board. Even more surprising, though is the relationship between James and his daughter, Elsa. 

Daddy's Girl In the Best Way

The picture above says it all. James is proud of Elsa. He relies on her. He doesn't flinch when someone he might not have approved of before they left wants to court her. (That character completely defied my expectations. I won't say who it is or how, but you'll know when you see it.) He knows she can ride and shoot, and he believes in her. So does her mother. It's not something you see in period pieces, and it's even rare in modern ones. He knows her worth and so does she. 

Those conditions were rough, and not just for men. In fact, the cast had to go to Cowboy Camp . All of them. I'm reminded, as I often am, of the quote from Ginger Rogers where she says she did everything Fred Astaire did, but backwards and in heels. A lot of the rules for women from polite society go out the window when what you're trying to do is survive. Yet women face dangers that the men often don't. I'm sure I don't need to spell that out for you. 

A word about Isabel May. She absolutely shines in "1883." Elsa is probably our most modern character in the series. She is absolutely undeterred by the hardships of travel. She breathes in joy with every mile they pass. I think watching that family, and in particular Elsa, is what keeps this from being too dark. Through her eyes, you understand what sort of person settled the West of America, and it comes through authentically. I cannot wait to see what she does next. 

A Friendship for the Ages

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill are phenomenal here, giving nuanced performances when it would be easy to get away with stock characters. I'm sure Taylor Sheridan's writing and direction were a huge part of that, but they are both a joy to watch. Sam Elliott — do I have to tell you how powerful his performances are? Shea's relationship with Thomas is one of deep understanding, and the ability to know what they other one is thinking. I'm putting a quote in here from my press junket interview with Elliott, because he sums it up better than I ever could:

"Well, number one, it's one of my favorite relationships in the show. I love LaMonica. We've become very close in a very short period of time. Maybe a long period, but it's a short period ... In terms of the backstory, the one common thing, right off the top, that they have is the fact that they're both veterans of the Civil War and what that brings. I think that Thomas's character dealt with that reality a lot better than Shea did. Shea's pretty tormented about it. I think his PTSD is a little more serious, I think, than what Thomas carries. And a lot of that probably ... there's reference to slavery or the treatment that Black people had in those days. Maybe not slavery directly, but there's mention of it, in some of the dialogue that Thomas and I have throughout this thing."

LaMonica Garrett gives a beautifully understated performance as Thomas. This is a character that I'm dying to learn more about. We're only really starting to get stories about Black cowboys, and it's powerful to watch. His interaction with Shea and the kindness he shows to the wagon train, even when he has to be harsh, is intriguing.

'The Road West was Paved with Blood'

A few things to watch for here include the adorable performance from little Audie Rick, who came to the red carpet in a pinstriped suit and shiny shoes. He's got a great scene in the third episode, and that's all I'll say. Another is the plight of immigrants moving West. This isn't a story I've heard a lot. Most of the immigrant stories from that time period are centered in New York City, or somewhere on the East coast. It's something that should be talked about, particularly these days, as many try to vilify the people who built this country, even though they weren't born here. I do want to warn you that there are a few upsetting moments, particularly in the first and second episodes, so if you're trying to avoid scenes of attempted assault and depression that has reached its zenith, you might want to read a recap before you watch.

That said, I am absolutely blown away by what Taylor Sheridan and his cast and crew have given us here. "1883" is a must-watch.

"1883" premieres Sunday, December 19, 2021 on Paramount+.

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‘1883’ Ending Explained: What Becomes Of The Pioneers?

Where to stream:, shop 'yellowstone' merch and gifts to give diehard fans in 2024, paramount+ black friday deal 2023: sign up now for under $2 per month, stream it or skip it: ‘lawmen: bass reeves’ on paramount+, a taylor sheridan-adjacent western series with david oyelowo as a valiant us marshal , 'yellowstone' finally announces season 5 return date, reveals two more spinoffs forthcoming.

After 10 gripping episodes, the first installment of 1883 has finally reached its conclusion. From Tennessee to Fort Worth, TX, the Duttons’ perilous journey to the beginning of the Oregon trail was filled with danger and death ( RIP Aunt Claire! ), but luckily, their path crossed with that of Captain Shea Brennan (Sam Elliott) and fellow Pinkerton agent Thomas (LaMonica Garrett) just when they were looking to add some able bodies to their wagon party of immigrants. Led reluctantly by the English-speaking Josef (Marc Rissmann), the settlers were not prepared for the arduous trek north to free land in Oregon—they needed a lot of help to survive.

From a small pox scare to violent encounters with thieves to dangerous river crossings to tornados, these intrepid pioneers endured numerous perils and much suffering, but they cannot not be deterred from continuing their journey to freedom. The Duttons likewise remain steadfast in their quest to find the perfect place to start a new life in Oregon. However, after Elsa (Isabel May) gets wounded in a confrontation with a Lakota war party in Wyoming, everything changes. As James (Tim McGraw) and Margaret (Faith Hill) try urgently to get their only daughter medical attention, they are also preparing themselves for the worst possible outcome. As fate would have it, the devastated parents bury Elsa in Montana and settle there so that she may always be with them.

The conclusion of 1883 is complicated and, at times, confusing. Sheridan incorporates fantasy sequences, dreamy narration, and more of his trademark techniques to resolve a number of story lines in quick succession in both heart wrenching and hopeful ways. If you were puzzled about the fates of the various characters, you are not alone. Read on to find out Decider’s take on some of key questions viewers took away from Episode 10 .

DOES ELSA DIE?  1883 ‘S ENDING, EXPLAINED

Unfortunately, the flash-forward in the 1883 premiere episode was not a dream or a hallucination. In Episode 9 , we see Elsa fatally wounded by an arrow while defending the settlers from an attack by Lakota warriors who mistakenly believe that the wagon party killed their families. As we’re told by both Major Hemphill (Raphael Sbarge) at Fort Caspar and Spotted Eagle (Graham Greene) in Montana, Elsa’s liver was pierced. An infection led to sepsis which was fatal on the frontier. There was nothing to be done, and Elsa, after putting up a tremendous fight, dies peacefully in her father’s arms, knowing that she will be buried in the beautiful place that she has chosen.

DO THE DUTTONS MAKE IT TO MONTANA?

With the help of Shea, Thomas, and Noemi (Gratiela Brancusi), the Duttons do make it to Montana while Elsa is still alive. They encounter a friendly Crow tribe led by Spotted Eagle who offer help and make Elsa’s last few days as comfortable as possible. When James tells Spotted Eagle that they must find a place to settle so they can bury Elsa, the wise chief tells him to go to Paradise Valley. Spotted Eagle assures James that in this valley “a man who plans can thrive.” He adds, “you look like a man who plans.”

Spotted Eagle does issue a warning about Paradise Valley that the Dutton family of Taylor Sheridan’s modern Western Yellowstone should heed: “In 7 generations, my people will rise up and take it back from you.” Relieved and thankful, James tells him, “7 generations, you can have it.” Soon afterwards, Elsa and James arrive at the site of the future Yellowstone ranch before she takes her last breath.

DO THE PIONEERS EVER MAKE IT TO OREGON?

The ones we care about do! After the Duttons make the choice to head North on the Bozeman trail and away from Oregon, Shea decides the best course of action for the wagon party is to follow them, winter in Montana and then head to Oregon in the Spring, successfully avoiding the Wyoming Stockgrowers Association whose men could be pursuing them. One man accuses Shea of not keeping his promise to get them to Oregon, to which Shea responses: “I’m keeping my promise. I just changed the way I’m keeping it.”

With Josef incapacitated due to a snake bite, the pioneers revolt against Shea and decide to continue on the Oregon trail without their guides or cattle. It is an unwise decision, and their fates are revealed through Elsa’s voiceover narration. They are murdered by a band of thieves even before they can make it out of Wyoming.

Luckily, Noemi chooses to drive Josef and his wagon north with Thomas and her two boys to winter in Montana before heading to Oregon in the spring. The group saves Josef by amputating his snake-bitten leg, but his wife Risa (Anna Fiamora) succumbs to a head injury she sustained while getting thrown from a horse in Episode 9 . In a flash-forward to the Spring, we see that Josef is alive and working his new piece of free land in Oregon while Thomas, Noemi, and her two sons settle nearby in the Willamette Valley. Shea also makes it to Oregon and heads to the coast to see the ocean to fulfill his dead wife’s dream. He then kills himself to be reunited with her and their daughter in heaven.

Where to stream 1883

  • Ending Explained

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World Maps Online

Historic Railroad Map of the United States - 1883

Description, new county and railway map of the united states and the dominion of canada compiled from information obtained from official sources showing the lines of the chicago and alton railroad and its connections..

Chicago was established near the banks of Lake Michigan from land that had belonged to the Potawatomi Indians.

Chicago's transportation importance began in the 1840's with the building of the Illinois and Michigan Canal which connected the Mississippi River with Lake Michigan. The Galena & Chicago Union Railway later enabled enhanced shipping of the many agricultural products grown in the region.

Alton, along the Mississippi River, was established in the 1830's, as an accessible port for flat-bottom steamers used in the transportation of the area’s valued goods.

Alton's low-bank portage became an early concern. It was susceptible to flooding, resulting in many of the streets being paved using bricks made at the community’s own brickworks. This somewhat solved drainage of the town’s arterial streets.

The Chicago & Alton Railroad was a popular line between Chicago and St. Louis in the late 1800's. The railroad also offered connected travel from Chicago to Kansas City.

Originally a short line from Alton to Springfield, the railroad gradually extended to Bloomington and then to Joliet. In Joliet the line connected, and later merged with, a short line from Joliet to Chicago. By the mid-1850's the Chicago & Alton Railroad maintained continuous travel between the two cities.

In the years after the American Civil War, the railroad chartered a brief line running from Alton to East St. Louis, and began building its line westward to Kansas City. In the 1870's the Chicago & Alton Railroad expanded further by leasing lines running all the way to Louisiana and Mexico.

This map was published in 1883 by Rand, McNally & Co. It shows relief, drainage, cities, towns, counties, and clearly labeled railroad network of 1883.

It includes Chicago and Alton Railroad advertising, complete with illustrations of the latest accommodations.

Archive Paper

Premium fine art paper that provides accurate color reproduction with high-contrast, high-resolution print output and maximum image permanence. A high-quality print ready for framing.

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Go Behind The Scenes Of ‘1883’ In This Texas Town

travel map of 1883

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If you’re a fan of the hit show Yellowstone , it’s time to fall in love with the series prequel, 1883 . The newest Paramount+ western series follows the Dutton family from Fort Worth, Texas, on their covered wagon trek north through the Great Plains to the promised land of Montana. 1883 brings the proud pioneer spirit to life on Dutton’s quest for the American Dream.

If you’re fascinated by this period of American history, you’re not alone. 1883 debuted as the biggest new show since 2015, likely drawing on the hype from Yellowstone . Western shows have seen a huge resurgence in popularity, reminiscent of the Little House On The Prairie days. These shows provide viewers the ability to reflect on the determined grit of our ancestors as they navigate very different hardships than that of the modern era. Next time you’re annoyed with your internet loading too slowly, try to imagine what it was like forging a wagon and herd of animals across a river.

The show, created by Yellowstone’s Taylor Sheridan, boasts a prominent cast of characters, including Tim McGraw as John Dutton, Faith Hill as his wife Margaret Dutton, and Sam Elliot as Shea Brennan, one of the cowboys commissioned to guide the group. It was filmed in part at the historic Fort Worth Stockyard District , a part of Texas determined to hold onto its western roots.

longhorns in front of Fort Worth Stock Yards sign

Now you, too, can experience this Wild West history brought to life! Fort Worth is the perfect destination for travelers to experience the cowboy lifestyle. Fort Worth Stockyards will instantly catapult travelers back in time, offering 19th-century reenactments, the world’s only twice-daily longhorn cattle drives, weekly town rodeos, and an abundance of western wear square shops and cowboy-esque saloons.

You’ll feel as if you’ve instantly stepped on the set of 1883 while witnessing real Texas cowhands expertly drive a herd of longhorns down East Exchange Avenue. Watch in awe as the expert wranglers navigate the streets on their cow ponies, quick to redirect or rope any longhorn that falls out of order. These longhorn drives occur twice daily, at 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

woman barrel racing at the Cowtown Colesium rodeo venue in Fort Worth, TX

The Cowtown Coliseum hosts the Stockyard’s weekly rodeos, where you can experience the exciting competition between modern cowboys and cowgirls. Spectators gather every Friday and Saturday evening to watch gritty events like bull riding, team roping, and barrel racing. If you’ve never witnessed a person clinging to a massive bucking bull in real life, making the eight-second goal feel like an eternity, or a horse galloping at breakneck speed only to turn on a dime around a barrel, you’re missing out. We’re willing to bet 1883 ‘s narrator, the strong-willed Elsa Dutton, would’ve made quite the barrel racer in her day.

Before attending the rodeo, make sure you’re outfitted for the part. The Stockyards has plenty of western wear shops to instantly transform any city slicker into a cowboy. Make sure to check out Flea Style to pick out and customize your own Stetson cowgirl hat before venturing to Lazy J’s Ranchwear for the perfect plaid top and some Wrangler jeans. Of course, you can’t forget the boots and belt! M.L. Leddy’s instantly envelops shoppers in a sweet-smelling leather aroma and offers handmade cowboy boots, belt buckles, and other leather goods.

Billy Bob's Texas in Fort Worth, Texas Stockyards District

No Fort Worth experience is complete without enjoying a drink at an authentic saloon or square dancing the night away on a Texas-sized dance floor. We recommend walking through the authentic wooden swing doors to pony up at the Stockyard Saloon bar before playing a game of billiards. If you’re looking for a bit more excitement, Billy Bob’s Texas is one of the town’s jewels, a 100,000-square-foot entertainment center. The building was once used to house cattle for the Fort Worth Stock Sale and holds strong to its authentic roots. Guests will be greeted with a quick historical video of the building, complete with soothing narration by country music star George Strait. Today, Billy Bob’s continues to host the biggest country names inside its concert venues, boasts tasty Texas barbecue eats, and even offers live bull riding events. Check out their full events calendar here .

For even more ways to experience Fort Worth and live out your own 1883 -style experience, check out:

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  • 8 Reasons To Make Fort Worth, Texas Your Next Weekend Getaway

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Allison is the General Manager at TravelAwaits . She has a strong passion for the outdoors and loves spending her weekends hiking, horseback riding, and exploring with her family and three oversized dogs. Her favorite travel destination is Colorado, especially Rocky Mountain National Park, where she once spent time as a wrangler leading horseback trail rides through the park. Allison has worked for TravelAwaits' parent company, Quillt Media, since 2016 in various roles, including Business Development, SEO management, and Advertising Operations. Currently, she manages brand partnerships, site enhancements, and new marketing initiatives.

United States of America, 1883

United States of America

  • 1883: The Wagons West Story

by Henry C. Parke | Feb 25, 2022 | Features & Gunfights

travel map of 1883

Innovative filmmaker Taylor Sheridan’s new series captures the grit and the glory of the trail.

When True West spoke to creator Taylor Sheridan in August of 2021, on the eve of principal photography, no one knew how 1883 would turn out, or how the public would respond to it. At this writing, the last few episodes have not yet aired, but the audience has spoken: 1883 had the biggest cable premier since 2015, and the numbers remain high. The Yellowstone prequel, which follows the wagon trip west by the current Duttons’ great-great grandparents, has been called the best miniseries since Lonesome Dove .

“My reaction was surprise,” says film historian C. Courtney Joyner, “because it isn’t a gun ’em down Western story, it’s a pioneer story. A wagon train story. That’s really cool because it’s an area that has not been touched in decades.”

The series has scored well with the much-desired younger-adult demographic, perhaps because the subject matter is surprisingly familiar to them. Since 1971, 65 million copies of The Oregon Trail , the computer game and school staple, have been sold. Still, that’s not television. “No one’s made the ‘wagons West’ story in a way that’s really been impactful,” notes Sheridan. True, no one’s done it in a long time. But it has been done brilliantly twice before: 1923’s The Covered Wagon and 1930’s The Big Trail have set the bar dauntingly high.

travel map of 1883

Both films are epics—with casts and crews in the thousands, beautiful locations and wonderful directors—James Cruze and Raoul Walsh, respectively. Visually enthralling— Covered Wagon was filmed by D.W. Griffith’s cameraman Karl Brown, and Big Trail was shot in a 70mm format—they are thrilling to watch even today.

Of course, beyond the enormous budgets, those filmmakers had an advantage over Taylor Sheridan. Says Joyner, “The filmmakers were in a time when these were actual events. The breaking of the West was only 60 years before they made the movie. They had Civil War veterans in those movies.” In fact, the nearly 100 prairie schooners in Covered Wagon were genuine relics of the wagon trains, many driven by owners who had made the trip as children.  

It’s worth noting a scene that occurs five minutes into Covered Wagon . As the pioneers wait impatiently to begin their trek, admiring a plow, the scene dissolves to a title: “Far out on the westward trail stands another plow that bravely started for Oregon.” It’s being examined by several Indians. One says, in a title card, “this monster weapon will bury the buffalo—uproot the forest—and level the mountain. The Pale Face who comes with this evil medicine must be slain—or the Red Man perishes!” There is no parallel in any other film on the subject.

travel map of 1883

Ironically, while Wagon was a hit, the equally magnificent Trail was a bomb: only two theaters in America could run the wide-screen format, so few saw it, and its star, young John Wayne, was blamed, and sentenced to nine years at Republic Pictures.

But 20 years later, the story of the wagon trains returned with John Ford’s small but excellent Wagon Master , starring Ben Johnson and Harry Carey Jr. as horse-traders reluctantly roped into leading a Mormon group to their promised land. Its third lead, Ward Bond, who’d been unbilled in Big Trail , would become a star as Major Adams on the tremendously popular series, Wagon Train .

A year later, Westward the Women , written by Frank Capra and directed by William Wellman, became the best and toughest of the later wagons West films. Robert Taylor’s wagon master leading a caravan of women has much in common with 1883’ s Sam Elliot doing the same for a group of ill-prepared German immigrants. Both men are as hard and mean as it takes to get the job done and willing to kill pioneers who don’t follow their rules.

travel map of 1883

The other wagons West films all have their virtues. Disney’s Westward Ho, The Wagons features an Indian attack, directed dynamically by Yakima Canutt, which was much-improved when Walt let him reshoot it, allowing Indians and settlers to actually get hurt. Andrew McLaglen’s The Way West , though ruined by the studio cutting 20 minutes from the opening, has great sequences, including the rope-lowering of wagons from cliffs to the valley hundreds of feet below, although it can’t compete with The Big Trail ’s enormity: ten wagons lowered at once, with children being handed down on ropes in the same shot.

As Sheridan explains, telling these stories well begins with knowledge—of the history and of filmmaking. “You go back to John Ford, Ben Johnson. Everyone knew a lot more back then and knew how to film it. Now you’ve got people trying to make Westerns who have never seen a horse in person. Whenever I write anything, I have to factor in first and foremost, is it achievable? I operate from that standpoint.” And, yes, with 1883 , Taylor Sheridan has achieved something wonderful.

travel map of 1883

Henry Parke is a screenwriter, author and True West ’s Film and television editor.

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In This Issue:

  • Wyoming’s Colorful Characters
  • Texas’s Quanah Parker Trail
  • Kansas’s Santa Fe Trail
  • Dreaming Nevada
  • On the True Grit Trails
  • An Arizona Adventure
  • This Land is Your Land
  • The Real Rooster Cogburn
  • A Continuous Picnic Goes South
  • Shooting Back
  • Truth Be Known
  • Circle the Wagons!

Western Books & Movies

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  • Christopher Mitchum

To The Point

  • Hats off to 1883

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What Montana In 1883 Was Really Like

Sam Elliot in 1883

In "1883," the Paramount+ prequel series to the popular show "Yellowstone,"  the fictional Dutton family's 19th century rise to power is chronicled as their ancestors make their way from poverty in Texas to the promise of new beginnings in the Territory of Montana. The show depicts an unforgiving journey full of hazards as Sam Elliot's Shea Brennan (above) vows to keep his caravan of migrants safe (via Vanity Fair ). What was Montana in 1883 really like, though? Was it truly perilous and difficult to thrive, and what history was made there? 

There was in fact a great deal going on in the region, particularly in regard to the rail industry. Great Falls, one of modern Montana's largest and most important cities, was founded in August of 1883 by railroad developer and future U.S. Senator Paris Gibson in order to help expand the territory's rail network (via Library of Congress ). The following month, however, an even more important event came to Montana that forever shaped travel in the United States: the completion of the Northern Pacific Railway (via Ocean Thermal Energy Corporation ).

Montana was full of change and hardship in 1883

As former president Ulysses S. Grant personally traveled to Montana in order to participate in the final "Golden Spike" ceremony, elsewhere in the territory exceptionally negative change had come as well. Montana is within the natural range of buffalo, and by 1883 was one of the many places where it became clear industrial-scale hunting was one of the causes of the animals' near extinction (via All About Bison ). This snowballed into negatively affecting both the ecosystem and the lifestyles of local tribes, who to this day are working to restore the animals' populations (via CBS ).

Life for the incoming homesteaders was often not much better, something that was highlighted in the short-lived PBS series "Frontier House." The premise of this series was to have modern contestants try to succeed as though they were living on the 1883 Montana frontier. While not 100% accurate to the period or experience (i.e. comparatively minimal risk of severe injury, attack by thieves or Native people, or  disease such as smallpox ), it still proved to be a very difficult experience for all involved (via PBS).

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1883 true story & every real life character explained.

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1883 is a gritty deep dive into the lives of those who lived during the peak of the Westward Expansion of America in the late 19th century. The events and cast of characters in 1883 echo the harsh realities of this era in history. Set amid the beauty of the wild and unspoiled American frontier, 1883 unravels the very beginnings of Yellowstone 's Dutton Ranch.

The story starts in Fort Worth, Texas, from which a group of German immigrants and a family from Tennessee seek out a better life and head north to the promised land of Montana. The caravan is composed mostly of people with zero to little experience surviving in the frontier, making the group vulnerable to the dangers of the wild west. However, it is led by former soldiers who are determined to protect the caravan during the perilous journey.

Related:  The Best Shows To Watch On Peacock Right Now

1883 , a prequel spinoff of the neo-Western drama Yellowstone , isn't based on real events – much like the original show. That being said, its portrayal of the frontier in the late 19th century is based on established historical facts. Here's a breakdown of everything that 1883 borrows from American history.

1883's Real History Explained

In 1803, the American government acquired almost the entire landmass of modern central United States from Napoleonic France through a treaty known as the Louisiana Purchase. However, as France actually controlled just small areas of the landmass in question, what the U.S. government actually bought was the right to “obtain” large swathes of Native American land through any means – without interference from the French or other colonial powers. This led to a lawless era, pervaded by frequent skirmishes between the Native Americans and the American families, war veterans, homesteaders, criminals, and many others who sought their fortune in new lands. At the time, diseases like smallpox and cholera were practically death sentences, as modern science didn't yet offer any viable treatments for those unfortunate enough to contract these conditions.

By the 1880s, the American Westward Expansion was at its peak. To the north of the landmass that America claimed through the Louisiana Purchase lies Montana, seen by many as a promised land, in which they could settle away from the violence and turmoil that pervaded the rest of the country. This includes those who were part of the German emigration to America, which began in the late 1600s. As German immigrants escaping war and prosecution in Europe saw greater promise in the American frontier, despite the dangers involved, the German emigration continued on until the late 1800s. 1883 uses this historically accurate setting to flesh out the very roots of Yellowstone 's Dutton Ranch.

1883 Characters Based On Real Life People

1883's character backgrounds are also based on historical facts from this era. Thomas (LaMonica Garrett) and Shea Brennan (Sam Elliot), for instance, are former members of the predominantly African-American cavalry and infantry regiments in the U.S. Army that were formed in the late 19th century – more popularly known by the nickname given to them by Native American tribes: Buffalo Soldiers. As Shea was Thomas' captain in their regiment, they've established a close and unbreakable bond. Meanwhile, the German emigration to the U.S. serves as the historical foundation for the backgrounds of Josef (Marc Rissman) and his fellow immigrants, who struck a deal with Shea and Thomas to protect them in their journey. Such deals were common during the American Westward Expansion, as the lawless frontier gave plenty of opportunities for mercenaries to make money by escorting travelers. As for the family of James (Tim McGraw) and Margaret Dutton (Faith Hill), they represent the beginnings of the cutthroat modern ranching business, as depicted in Yellowstone season 4 .

Related:  The Harder They Fall: Every Real-Life Historical Figure

While 1883 's main characters are very loosely based on history, some of its side characters are actually fictionalized versions of real people that lived during the late 19th century. For instance, Marshall Jim Courtright (Billy Bob Thornton) is directly based on Timothy Isaiah Courtright, also known as Jim Courtright or “Longhair Jim.” Courtright served as the sherriff of Fort Worth from 1876 to 1879, and was killed in a shootout in 1887. True to the person on which he is based, Thornton's Marshall Jim Courtright ends up helping protect the caravan from some outlaws in 1883 . Meanwhile, another notable side character is General George Meade (Tom Hanks) , who is based on a U.S. Army officer of the same name. Apart from participating in the Second Seminole War and the Mexican-American War, Meade also played a crucial role in the Battle of Gettysburg as well as the Battle of Antietam. Through these fictionalized versions of real pioneers, events, and sociopolitical situations from the Westward Expansion, 1883 succeeds at crafting an accurate reflection of American history – in stark contrast to the more common, idealized, and rose-colored stories of the American frontier.

How 1883 Establishes The Setting For Yellowstone

John Dutton Sr. (Audie Rick), James and Margaret's young son, is the grandfather of Yellowstone 's John Dutton (Kevin Costner). Meanwhile, Elsa (Isabel May), who also serves as the narrator in 1883, is John Dutton's great aunt. At the start of 1883 , the Duttons are nowhere near establishing the homestead that would eventually grow into the largest contiguous ranch in the U.S. – the Dutton Ranch in Montana. Much like how Yellowstone 's Dutton Ranch provides a realistic look into the cutthroat modern ranching business, the Dutton family's journey in 1883 offers an in-depth perspective into the foundations of this industry.

1883 And The Evolution Of Western Drama

1883 is part of a recent resurgence in Western and neo-Western themes in modern entertainment. While other notable modern Westerns like The Power of the Dog and The Harder They Fall seek to respectively reverse the erasure of queer and Black history in the American frontier, 1883 offers an equally unfiltered look into the often idealized experiences of pioneers from the late 19th century. By dramatizing history, 1883 makes essential historical truths more accessible to wider audiences.

More: How To Watch 1883 Online - Is It Streaming On Paramount+ Or Peacock?

1883 releases new episodes Sundays only on Paramount+.

  • SR Originals
  • Yellowstone (2018)
  • 1883 (2021)

The First Transcontinental Railroad

  • Mapping the First Transcontinental Railroad
  • Alfred A. Hart Photos
  • Oral Histories of Chinese Railroad Worker Families
  • Native Americans and the Railroad
  • Pacific Railroad Surveys

Maps of the Railroads

  • Maps of Theodore Judah

Overview maps from the Pacific Railroad Survey Reports

These maps are some of the most important maps of the West in the 1850's and 1860's as they show the current state of topographical knowledge. Many editions of the maps were printed to accompany the different editions of the Pacific Railroad Survey Reports. These states show the rapid growth in topographical information from government exploration and mapping. The dates of the maps shown are 1855, 1857, 1858, 1861, and 1867. The notes field in the metadata for each map details the new geographic information contained within.

Map Of The Territory Of The United States From The Mississippi To The Pacific Ocean Ordered by the Hon. Jeff'n Davis, Secretary Of War To accompany the Reports of the Explorations For A Railroad Route ... Compiled from authorized explorations and other reliable data by Lieut. G.K. Warren, Topl. Engrs. In the Office of Pacific R.R. Surveys, War Dep. under the direction of Bvt. Maj. W.H. Emory and Capt. A.A. Humphreys, Topl. Engrs. 1855. Engr. by Selmar Siebert

  • Map Of The Territory Of The United States From The Mississippi To The Pacific Ocean Ordered ...
  • Map of the Territory of the United States from the Mississippi to the Pacific Ocean . . . 18...
  • Map Of The Territory Of The United States From The Mississippi To The Pacific Ocean; Ordered...
  • Map Of The Territory Of The United States From The Mississippi To The Pacific Ocean Order...
  • Engineer Bureau, War Department. Map Of The Territory Of The United States From The Mississi...

Proposed Railways

Numerous maps showed proposed railway routes to connect the East and the West displaying what appear to be cohesive transportation networks long before they existed on the ground. These maps extend over the entire United States allowing one to compare the dense network of rail lines in the East with the openness and inaccessibility of the West.

1864: The American Continent

R. Rosa and Charles Lubrecht's map of the United States in 1864 shows numerous proposed railway lines. Colored in bright blue, a circular rail system includes the "Proposed Central Pacific Rail Road" starting in St. Joseph, Missouri that follows the Platte River, connects to the "Proposed Central Pacific R.R." near Great Salt Lake City, crosses the Sierras at Truckee Pass, connects to a railroad line heading south from Sacramento traversing California south to Ft. Yuma before it connects to the "Proposed Southern Pacific R.R.", which skirts the border with Mexico before turning north in Texas to end at Fort Smith in Arkansas. Also shown is a proposed railroad from St. Joseph, Missouri to Santa Fe, New Mexico. While most of the states are in their recognizable configurations, Dakota is still one large region and Wyoming is 36 years away from being a state.

1867: Colton's Map of the States and Territories

The Colton map of 1867 details the growth of the railroad network by 1867 noting in the title the overland routes and projected railroad lines. It is interesting to note that the routes of the explorers and surveyors are clearly delineated belying the appearance that the nation has been settled from coast to coast. The Central Pacific Railroad has been completed to Truckee Pass. The north/south California railroad has been completed from San Francisco to around present day Salinas. The Union Pacific line has been completed nearly to Cheyenne Pass in present day Wyoming. Information from the Pacific Railroad Surveys has clearly been added to the map including the notes on topography, land cover, and even the spot where Captain Gunnison was killed in Utah.

1869: Map of the Union Pacific Railroad Surveys

This highly detailed map shows the proposed line of the railroad from the Missouri River to Humboldt Wells from surveys done from 1864 to 1868. The spot at which the tracks would connect, at Promontory Summit, had yet to be decided. The map includes a "Profile of Grades" over which the track would be laid. The highest point was at Sherman with an elevation of 8,235 feet to the east of Laramie. Promontory Mountain is shown with a height of 4,901 feet. The line covers 1,259 miles from beginning to end.

The Completed Railroad

On May 10, 1869 the transcontinental railroad was complete. It took mapmakers no time to publish maps showing the completed route. The next decade showed rapid growth in the number of stations and towns along the railroad as well as the completion of other lines to the north and the south of the main route.

1869: Cabinet Map of the Western States

Rufus Blanchard's map was heavily derived from the U.S. General Land Office Map of the United States, 1868 (see below). The railroad is complete and the lines shows the stops along the way. There are numerous rail lines under development and proposed including lines from Cheyenne to Denver turning to the east to cross Kansas, a line from Gravelly Ford, Nevada south to Colville, Nevada, and numerous routes in California connecting Stockton, San Jose, and Fort Yuma bypassing the coast including Los Angeles and San Diego.

An inset world map in the bottom left hand corner showing the United States in the center with the railroad prominently featured connecting the east coast to San Francisco. Lines across the oceans connection the United States to the world from San Francisco to Shanghai and Hong Kong and from New York and Boston to Hamburg, Germany.

1871: The American Union Railroad Map of the United States

Haasis and Lubrect's railroad map of the American Union celebrates the completion of the transcontinental railroad in spectacular fashion. Across the top is a view "From the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean" showing the sights along the way from the ships in San Francisco harbor to high mountain peaks, from farmland to bustling Manhattan and New York City. The cartouche illustrates the excitement inherent with this mode of travel with passengers eagerly boarding the train, boys hailing the arrival of the locomotive, and a worker readying goods for transport. All of this is in contrast to old mode of conveyance, the horse and buggy, seen in the background as if receding into the past.

1877: New Transcontinental Map of the Pacific Railroad

Henry T. Williams' map was printed 8 years after the completion of the transcontinental railroad. The original railroad names hundreds of stops along the tracks noting major and minor stations by font size. Branches off the main trunk line are shown from Cheyenne to Denver, from Palisade to Eureka (Nevada), and throughout California north to Redding, Oroville, Calistoga, and Clovendale, and south to Soledad, Fremonts Pass, and finally to Los Angeles, San Pedro, and Anaheim. Other railroads in use include the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, the Denver and Rio Grande, and the Kansas Pacific. The Northern Pacific has yet to be built although a proposed route is shown. It was completed in 1883. Stage routes connect to the railroad across the west allowing for movement of goods and people throughout the entire region.

Accompanying the map was the booklet, The Pacific Tourist: Williams' illustrated trans-continental guide of travel from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean...a complete traveler's guide of the Union and Central Pacific railroads . The booklet has been scanned and is available here .

1879: New Map of the American Overland Route

A mere 10 years after the completion of the transcontinental railroad promotional materials were being published to increase ridership and encourage tourism. The map shows the railroad and branches in black with the stops as points. The map extols the wonders and safety of travel around its borders. One may "Avoid the Sickness, Dangers and Delays of the Panama Route!" Round trip excursion tickets for $38 from Omaha to Denver, Colorado Springs, or Pueblo guarantee to "afford the finest view to be had of the Great Snowy Range." Excursion tickets from Omaha also take passengers to one of the great sights of the west, Yosemite Valley by way of Merced, Mariposa, Clark's and Big Tree Grove - no saddle riding necessary.

The Public Surveys and the Railroads

The Land Ordinance of 1785 first defined how the west would be subdivided starting in Ohio. The system subdivided the land into thirty six square mile blocks, which would be subdivided into smaller units. A section was a one-mile square enclosing 640 acres. This system was used to subdivide the west. It was combined with numerous Acts that allowed settlers free access to the land wit the condition that the land be settled and worked for a specific number of years. Millions of people moved and set up homesteads from the 1850's until 1988. The railroads made it easier to move west. The railroads themselves were granted public lands to allow them right of way and a way to raise money by selling off part of these lands.

The maps included below show the extent of the Public Land Surveys from 1866 to 1875. Each one details the rapid growth of the grid that defined the Survey as well as plotting the progress of the railroad. The final map in the set shows the land west of Ohio laid out in neat squares with the grid laid out along either side of the completed transcontinental railroad.

travel map of 1883

  • Map of the United States and Territories. Shewing the extent of the Public Surveys and ot...
  • Map of the United States and Territories, Showing the extent of Public Surveys and other Det...
  • Map of the United States and Territories, Showing the extent of Public Surveys and other det...
  • Map of the United States and Territories. Showing The Extent of Public Surveys, Indian and M...

The Cinemaholic

1883 Episode 6 Recap and Ending, Explained

 of 1883 Episode 6 Recap and Ending, Explained

The sixth episode of ‘ 1883 ‘ sees the caravan led by Shea Brennan arriving at Doan’s Crossing, the last haven before the group ventures outside Texas. Following the tragic death of her lover , Elsa beings to contemplate the meaning and futility of life. While Elsa’s spirits are broken down, Shea uses his wisdom to guide the young woman past the river of her sorrows. Naturally, viewers must be wondering whether Elsa recovers from the loss of Ennis and what challenges the caravan faces in Doan’s Crossing. Here’s an answer to all your questions regarding the ending of ‘1883’ episode 3! SPOILERS AHEAD!

1883 Episode 6 Recap

Episode 6, titled ‘Boring The Devil,’ opens with the wagon camp arriving at Doan’s Crossing . The settlement resides on the edge of the Texas border, and beyond it lies the Indian territory. Therefore, the group must gather all the necessary resources from Doan’s Crossing. Elsa is grieving the loss of Ennis and contemplates suicide. Shea talks to the young woman and reminds her that a part of Ennis resides within her. The best way to honor Ennis’ memory is for Elsa to continue exploring life. Thus, Elsa refrains from shooting herself.

travel map of 1883

Later, Margaret and Elsa head out to the market, and Elsa confronts a local man. She threatens to shoot him until James intervenes. Elsa returns to take care of the herd and meets Colton, a young cowboy hired by Shea to be Ennis’ replacement. Elsa acts cold towards Colton and refuses to introduce herself. At the market, Margaret meets a local shopkeeper named Carolyn, and the two share a few drinks. James and Shea study the nearby river and formulate a plan for crossing it.

Elsewhere, Thomas tries to hire a cook and must put up with the latter’s numerous demands. Thomas reluctantly agrees, and the caravan finally has a cook. Later, Thomas buys Noemi a gift, and the two sleep together for the first time after confessing their feelings for each other. While returning to the camp, a drunk Margaret expresses her regrets to James. The following day, the campers must prepare for another difficult river crossing.

1883 Episode 6 Ending: Does Elsa Overcome Her Grief?

The episode mainly focuses on Elsa dealing with the complicated feelings brimming inside her heart after the death of her lover, Ennis. Elsa’s situation is understandable as this is the first time she has lost someone dear to her. She is facing the cruel realities of the world and needs to figure out some answers by herself. Shea provides some thoughtful insights to Elsa that help her overcome a part of her grief over Ennis’ death. While Shea’s words are powerful, they only stop Elsa from wallowing in pain on the outside. While she returns to her duties with the herd, Elsa is still hurting on the inside. This leads Elsa on a self-destructive path, which is evident when she tries to stir up conflict in the market for no reason.

travel map of 1883

James recognizes that Elsa is not only hurting from Ennis’ death but also from killing the bandit who shot Ennis. Elsa shot the man in cold blood three times, and such an act is bound to have some psychological effect on her. By revealing his time in the army, James builds a bridge for Elsa to overcome her guilt for killing the bandit and being the cause of Ennis’ death. In the end, Elsa makes peace with Ennis’ death. In the episode’s final moments, she introduces herself to Colton and is back to being her usual cheerful self. She thanks Shea for helping her and prepares to cross the river, thereby beginning a new chapter in her life.

Does Margaret Forgive James?

In the episode, Margaret finally finds an outlet for her emotions after having a few drinks with Carolyn. In her inebriated state, Margaret finally musters the courage to reveal how she truly feels about the life on the road that her husband has chosen for their family. Margaret laments that she is constantly forced to travel and cannot make acquaintance with any new people. Moreover, she is angry that James promised her a paradisical life, but all they have experienced on the road are hardships. From Margaret’s words, it is clear that she craves stability in life, and one cannot find that in the American West . Therefore, she is angry at James.

travel map of 1883

However, when the campers prepare to cross the river, James insists that he should drive the wagon while Margaret crosses the river on a horse. The couple argues again, but James reminds Margaret that he cannot lose her. James’ admission is enough for Margaret to forgive him. The quarrel between the couple underlines the mutual understanding and respect on which their relationship is built. With such a solid foundation to their marriage, it is hard to imagine anything stopping the Duttons from achieving their ideal life.

Read More: 1883 Episode 5 Recap and Ending, Explained

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IMAGES

  1. What Route Did the Duttons Travel in 1883? Including Map

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  2. Map 1883 Map Showing the New Transcontinental Route of the

    travel map of 1883

  3. Vintage Map of the United States 1883

    travel map of 1883

  4. Vintage Map of the United States 1883

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  5. What Route Do the Duttons Take in 1883, Explained

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  6. Old World Map 1883 Mercator projection Vintage World Map

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COMMENTS

  1. What Route Do the Duttons Take in 1883, Explained

    Duttons' Route, Mapped. In the first episode of '1883,' James Dillard Dutton arrives in Fort Worth, Texas. His family later joins him in the town, where they have a harrowing experience that will be the first of many in the days to come. James wishes to move his family away from Texas's impoverished and outlaw streets.

  2. What Route Did the Duttons Travel in 1883? Including Map

    The Duttons Route in 1883: From Tennessee to Texas to Montana. Originally, James, Margaret, Elsa, and John were from Tennessee. However, they experienced a life of poverty which led them to flee their home in Tennessee for a fresh start. The Dutton family then traveled to Fort Worth, Texas, to begin their journey to a new life.

  3. 1883: Why The Duttons Have No Clear Route Or Plan

    Warning: the following contains SPOILERS for 1883.. 1883's Dutton family got out of Tennessee in order to seek out greener pastures in a land which they know to be highly dangerous - despite this, they seem to have no clear route or plan in mind.This is important because 1883 is a show that primarily tackles the harsh realities and dangers faced by settlers who braved the frontier during the ...

  4. Is there a map that shows their route? : r/Y1883

    Green - Brazos River. Elsa mentioned the crossing north of the Clear river confluence. If you look at the GWCT map I linked above, they are very close to Fort Griffen. They basically confirmed they are going to link up with the Great Western Cattle Trail in ep. 5 when Shea mentioned Doan's crossing.

  5. Where was 1883 filmed? Guide to ALL the Filming Locations of the

    7 comments: 1-Anonymous - Feb 13, 2022, 8:27 AMWhat is the "1883" Trail (actual path of caravan party) in Season 1 through Episode 8 (and then to the end of series plz as time reveals.) Nice to combine with shoot locations, but please include setting location in the story by episode. Thanks! 2-Anonymous - Feb 22, 2022, 6:49 PMEpisode 6 (Doan's Crossing Tent City) was filmed at the 6666 Ranch ...

  6. Doan's Crossing 1883 Map

    The 1883 map of Doan's Crossing provides valuable insights into the geographical and political aspects of the Texas-Oklahoma boundary. The map showcases the specific location of the crossing and its relevance in understanding the boundary disputes of that era. The Duttons' expedition in 1883, from Texas to Montana, serves as a poignant ...

  7. 1883 Gives Yellowstone Fans a Bleak Backstory for the Dutton Family

    1883 promises a tale of the Dutton ancestors fleeing a life of poverty for the promised land of Montana. Country stars Tim McGraw and Faith Hill take the leads, playing great-grandfather John ...

  8. The Complete 'Yellowstone' Timeline: From '1883' to ...

    In "1883" we meet the post-Civil War generation of the Dutton family in James (Tim McGraw), his wife Margaret (Faith Hill), their daughter Elsa (Isabel May), and young son John. After arriving ...

  9. 1883 Review: Journey Northwest With The Ancestors Of Yellowstone

    This is a rough land, and "1883" really makes that clear. From having the group inspected naked for smallpox, to an attempted assault, to bandits and sudden deaths, a journey like this can break ...

  10. 1883

    From Academy Award nominee Taylor Sheridan, co-creator of Yellowstone, 1883 follows the Dutton family as they embark on a journey west through the Great Plai...

  11. '1883' Ending Explained: What Becomes Of The Pioneers?

    As James (Tim McGraw) and Margaret (Faith Hill) try urgently to get their only daughter medical attention, they are also preparing themselves for the worst possible outcome. As fate would have it ...

  12. Historic Railroad Map of the United States

    The railroad also offered connected travel from Chicago to Kansas City. Originally a short line from Alton to Springfield, the railroad gradually extended to Bloomington and then to Joliet. ... This map was published in 1883 by Rand, McNally & Co. It shows relief, drainage, cities, towns, counties, and clearly labeled railroad network of 1883.

  13. Go Behind The Scenes Of '1883' In This Texas Town

    United States. If you're a fan of the hit show Yellowstone, it's time to fall in love with the series prequel, 1883. The newest Paramount+ western series follows the Dutton family from Fort Worth, Texas, on their covered wagon trek north through the Great Plains to the promised land of Montana. 1883 brings the proud pioneer spirit to life ...

  14. United States of America, 1883

    Map of A map from 1883 of the 'lower forty-eight' United States showing state boundaries and state capitals, major cities and towns, mountain systems, lakes, rivers, and coastal features. The map shows Yellowstone National Park, the first in the United States (1872). Maps ETC > United States > A Complete Map of the United States > United ...

  15. Does anyone have a map of the 1883 route? Would be nice to ...

    It is impossible to draw a map of the route taken through northwest Texas, because of the geographical errors in the story. We know that they went north from Fort Worth to the Red River. If they followed the Chisholm Trail, they would have reached the Red River at Red River Station in Montague County.

  16. 1883: The Wagons West Story

    At this writing, the last few episodes have not yet aired, but the audience has spoken: 1883 had the biggest cable premier since 2015, and the numbers remain high. The Yellowstone prequel, which follows the wagon trip west by the current Duttons' great-great grandparents, has been called the best miniseries since Lonesome Dove .

  17. Paramount's "1883" features a wagon train of settlers crossing ...

    In 1883 there were major north-south travel routes, such as the Chisholm Trail, mostly used by large-scale cattle drives from ranches in Texas up to railheads in Kansas, and would have been extremely busy in the summer. Settlers on a wagon train would likely follow the established cow routes, simply because the cattle drivers made use of the ...

  18. Who Are the Immigrants in 1883? Where Are They From?

    '1883' follows a group of immigrants traveling across the Great Plains to settle down in Oregon. They obtain the services of Pinkerton Agents Shea Brennan and Thomas to guide them across the vast plains and help them navigate the dangers on the road. As the story progresses, viewers learn more about the immigrants and their life before arriving in the United States.

  19. 1883's Sam Elliott on What Viewers Will Love About Yellowstone ...

    Paulette Cohn. Dec 18, 2021. Sam Elliott. The year is 1883 as a wagon train sets out from Fort Worth, Texas headed to the Oregon coast and the Pacific Ocean in Taylor Sheridan 's prequel to ...

  20. What Montana In 1883 Was Really Like

    Montana was full of change and hardship in 1883. Benjamin Scherliss/Shutterstock. As former president Ulysses S. Grant personally traveled to Montana in order to participate in the final "Golden Spike" ceremony, elsewhere in the territory exceptionally negative change had come as well. Montana is within the natural range of buffalo, and by 1883 ...

  21. 1883 True Story & Every Real Life Character Explained

    1883 is a gritty deep dive into the lives of those who lived during the peak of the Westward Expansion of America in the late 19th century. The events and cast of characters in 1883 echo the harsh realities of this era in history. Set amid the beauty of the wild and unspoiled American frontier, 1883 unravels the very beginnings of Yellowstone's Dutton Ranch.

  22. Maps of the Railroads

    It was completed in 1883. Stage routes connect to the railroad across the west allowing for movement of goods and people throughout the entire region. ... The map extols the wonders and safety of travel around its borders. One may "Avoid the Sickness, Dangers and Delays of the Panama Route!" Round trip excursion tickets for $38 from Omaha to ...

  23. 1883 Episode 6 Recap and Ending, Explained

    The sixth episode of '1883' sees the caravan led by Shea Brennan arriving at Doan's Crossing, the last haven before the group ventures outside Texas. Following the tragic death of her lover, Elsa beings to contemplate the meaning and futility of life.While Elsa's spirits are broken down, Shea uses his wisdom to guide the young woman past the river of her sorrows.