Sam Barlow (pioneer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sam K. Barlow
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| Born | December 4, 1794 |
| Died | July 15, 1867 (aged 72) |
| Occupation | Oregon Pioneer, Toll road owner/operator, Justice of the Peace |
| Spouse(s) | Susannah Lee, Elizabeth Garrison Shepard |
Samuel Kimbrough Barlow (born December 7, 1795 – died July 14, 1867) was an important pioneer who helped people travel to the new U.S. state of Oregon. He is famous for creating the Barlow Road, which was a very popular path for wagons at the end of the Oregon Trail.
Contents
Samuel K. Barlow: A Pioneer's Journey
Early Life and Family
Samuel Barlow was born in Nicholas County, Kentucky. He learned how to be a tailor, which means he made and fixed clothes. In 1818, he moved to Bloomington, Indiana. There, he married Susannah Lee, and they started a family. They had six children together: Sarah, James, John, Eliza Jane, Eli, and William.
Blazing the Barlow Road
In 1845, when Samuel Barlow was 53 years old, his family traveled to Oregon. Their group of seven wagons joined another group led by Joel Palmer. Together, they explored a new path for wagons over the Cascade Range mountains. This was a very difficult journey, but they successfully created a trail. This trail became known as the Barlow Road in 1846. They finally arrived in Oregon City, Oregon on Christmas night.
While exploring the path, Samuel Barlow and Joel Palmer made an early climb up Mount Hood. They didn't reach the very top, but they climbed high enough to see over the trees. They were looking for the best way for their wagons to cross what is now called Barlow Pass. On October 7, 1845, they climbed to about 9,000 feet up the mountain to find a good route.
Later Life and Legacy
In the summer of 1850, Samuel Barlow was chosen to be a Justice of the Peace for Clackamas County. This area was much larger back then. He was appointed by the acting Governor, Kintzing Prichette.
On September 17, 1850, Samuel Barlow bought some land from Thomas McKay. He later sold this land to his son, William. This land eventually became the town of Barlow, Oregon. The town was named after his son, William, not Samuel himself.
Samuel Barlow is buried next to his wife, Susannah Lee Barlow, in Barlow, Oregon. There is also a high school named after him, Sam Barlow High School, located east of Gresham, Oregon.
