Carrie Adell Strahorn facts for kids
Carrie Adell Strahorn (born January 1, 1854 – died 1925) was an amazing American explorer and pioneer. People called her "The mother of the West" and "The queen of the pioneers." She was one of the first white women to travel all the way through Yellowstone National Park. In 1911, she wrote a book about her travels called Fifteen Thousand Miles by Stage.
Carrie Strahorn: An Adventurous Life
Early Life and First Journeys
Carrie Strahorn was born in Marengo, Illinois, on January 1, 1854. Her father was a doctor during the American Civil War. He was quite wealthy, which meant Carrie could study voice at the University of Michigan and even travel abroad.
She later married Robert Strahorn. Robert worked for the Union Pacific Railroad. He traveled a lot in the Western United States. He insisted that Carrie come with him on his trips. So, the couple moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming, and began their many adventures together.
Their very first big trip was into the Rocky Mountains. Carrie had to switch trains four times on this journey! One time, it was because of a train wreck. During a time called the Bannock War, Native Americans attacked the wagon train they were on. Several wagons were burned, showing how dangerous travel could be back then.
Helping to Build New Towns
Carrie and Robert Strahorn worked with a company called the Idaho-Oregon Land Improvement Company. They helped to start several new towns in the West. One of these was Caldwell, Idaho. Carrie Strahorn was even one of the people who helped start the Presbyterian Church in Caldwell.
They also helped create other towns like Hailey, Idaho, Weiser, Idaho, Payette, Idaho, and Shoshone, Idaho. Robert later left that company. The couple then moved to different cities, including Bellingham, Washington, Boston, and later settled in Spokane, Washington. They eventually moved to San Francisco.
Carrie Strahorn passed away in 1925 when she was 72 years old. Her life was full of exciting travels and helping to build new communities in the American West.
