Students gather at the location on the island in the middle of the New Fork River that is believed to be very close to the spot where emmigrant wagons crossed 1859 through 1869. Many diary accounts describe details of the river crossing, which was often difficult and dangerous during high spring runoff which swelled the river to full bank rapid flows. Part of the challenge of telling the story of this site will be countering the present-day serenity and recreacting the image of the hustle and bustle of hundreds of wagons crossing the river a day during the peak emigration months of the Oregon Trail migration time period.