History Expeditions
We are discovering American West's tails and trails. We are endurance athletes with a passion for history, bringing history to life through expeditions that combine historical research and adventure.
American West Live!
A bi-weekly minicast that deep dives into the best stories from the American West of 1840-1860. In the mid-1800s a massive migration occurred in America, east to west, fueled by desire for land, economic opportunities, and escaping hardships. Between 1840 and 1860, over 400,000 emigrants traveled the 2,000 miles from Missouri on foot, horseback and wagon and settled on American west coast. The stories of these pioneers, many of which are our ancestors, inspire us with their grit, survival, hardship and heroism. This series will discover those tails from the trails and inspires the next generation.
S1 E11: The Forgotten Heroes: Lessons from the Survivors & Heroes
The Stephens-Townsend-Murphy Party's 1844 expedition was the first successful wagon crossing of the Sierra Nevada. This achievement is attributed to the collective leadership of several key individuals with diverse skills and unwavering resilience in the face of significant challenges.
This week we crack open the Survivors & Heroes Expedition, which launches on Monday, September 29th from Donner Memorial State Park at 7am. For five days the six-member expedition team will ride and run for 120 miles, Donner Lake to Auburn, CA, retracing the hoofprints and footsteps of the advance party which come from the Stephens-Townsend-Murphy Party in November 1844. They were called the Horseback Party of Six.
Be sure to follow the Survivors & Heroes Expedition beginning Monday, September 29th at 7am with their live tracker whose link can be found on their website (https://historyexp.org/) or their History Expeditions Facebook group.
History Expeditions (https://historyexp.org/)
Our Youtube Channel
Sunnyvale Heritage Park Museum (https://heritageparkmuseum.org/)
12 Sept 2025
S1 E10: The Survivors & Heroes Expedition: Stephen-Townsend-Murphy Party
The Stephens-Townsend-Murphy Party's 1844 expedition was the first successful wagon crossing of the Sierra Nevada. This achievement is attributed to the collective leadership of several key individuals with diverse skills and unwavering resilience in the face of significant challenges.
This week we cover the Survivors & Heroes Expedition. For the past twelve months, six adventurers have been living and breathing 1844. Their preparation reads like a graduate-level history seminar crossed with extreme sports training. Beginning September 29th, these endurance athletes will attempt something that's never been done: a 135-mile horseback crossing of the Sierra Nevada following the exact route of the 1844 Stephens-Townsend-Murphy Party's "Horseback Party of Six". Yes, the same route that included two brave women, Elizabeth Townsend and Ellen Murphy, who chose to ride through winter wilderness rather than stay with the main wagon train. We hope you enjoy!
History Expeditions Website (https://historyexp.org/)
Our Youtube Channel
Sunnyvale Heritage Park Museum (https://heritageparkmuseum.org/)
29 Aug 2025
S1 E9: Stephens-Townsend-Murphy Party - Impact on California, The West, and America
The Stephens-Townsend-Murphy Party's 1844 expedition was the first successful wagon crossing of the Sierra Nevada. This achievement is attributed to the collective leadership of several key individuals with diverse skills and unwavering resilience in the face of significant challenges. In this episode we highlight six figures whose contributions in terms of decisiveness, communication, and grit were crucial to the party's triumph.
In this episode, we explore the lasting legacy of the Stephens-Townsend-Murphy Party after their 1844 overland journey to California. While their pioneering trek opened the West to thousands, their true impact unfolded after their arrival. From founding towns and shaping early politics to igniting California’s agricultural economy and supporting education, these trailblazers—especially the influential Murphy family—played a vital role in building the foundations of modern California. Discover how their courage, vision, and community spirit helped shape the Golden State and the American West.
Interested in learning more? Read the full story here!
History Expeditions Website (https://historyexp.org/)
Our Youtube Channel
Sunnyvale Heritage Park Museum (https://heritageparkmuseum.org/)
15 Aug 2025
S1 E8: The Stephens-Townsend-Murphy Party and the California Revolt of 1844
The Stephens-Townsend-Murphy Party's 1844 expedition was the first successful wagon crossing of the Sierra Nevada. This achievement is attributed to the collective leadership of several key individuals with diverse skills and unwavering resilience in the face of significant challenges. In this episode we highlight six figures whose contributions in terms of decisiveness, communication, and grit were crucial to the party's triumph.
When the men of the Stephens-Townsend-Murphy party reached Sutter’s Fort in mid-December
1844 they thought their 2,000 mile journey from Missouri was almost over. Joining the six
members of the party who had reached the fort on horseback a week earlier, they planned to get
supplies and go back into the Sierra Nevada to rescue the rest of their party. But it didn’t quite
work out that way.
Interested in learning more? Read the full story here!
History Expeditions Website (https://historyexp.org/)
Our Youtube Channel
Sunnyvale Heritage Park Museum (https://heritageparkmuseum.org/)
1 Aug 2025
S1 E7: Three Men, One Cabin, Buried in Snow
Welcome to episode 7!
In late 1844, the Stephens-Townsend-Murphy Party was forced to make tough decisions when snow trapped them near Truckee Lake in the Sierra Nevada. With limited oxen and supplies, 17-year-old Moses Schallenberger, along with Allen Montgomery and Joseph Foster, stayed behind to guard abandoned wagons while the rest of the group continued on.
Interested in learning more? Read the full story here!
History Expeditions Website (https://historyexp.org/)
Our Youtube Channel
Sunnyvale Heritage Park Museum (https://heritageparkmuseum.org/)
18 Jul 2025
S1 E6: Freezing, Starved, & Alone: Life at Winter Encampment
In late 1844, the Stephens-Townsend-Murphy Party became the first to bring wagons over the Sierra Nevada. Exhausted, they established a winter encampment on the Yuba River. Facing snow, dwindling food, and separation, they endured starvation and hardship until a rescue in early 1845 brought them to safety.
Interested in learning more? Read the full story here!
History Expeditions Website (https://historyexp.org/)
Our Youtube Channel
Sunnyvale Heritage Park Museum (https://heritageparkmuseum.org/)
4 Jul 2025
S1 E5: Hanging by a Rope: The First Wagons Over the Summit
The Stephens-Townsend-Murphy Party pioneers a wagon route over the Sierra Nevada in 1844, demonstrating the feasibility of westward migration via wagon trails.
20 Jun 2025
S1 E4: The Horseback Party of Six: Pioneers of Courage and Determination
This episode recounts how six pioneers from the Stephens-Townsend-Murphy wagon train crossed the Sierra Nevada in 1844, demonstrating courage and the importance of Indigenous knowledge.
6 Jun 2025
S1 E3: Westward Wagons - A Rough Start
The Stephens-Townsend-Murphy Party pioneers westward expansion by overcoming conflicts, weather, and illness during their arduous journey across the Sierra Nevada.
23 May 2025
S1 E2: Pioneers of the California Trail
This episode explores the pivotal 1844 Stephens-Townsend-Murphy Party expedition and highlights six key figures whose leadership, communication, and resilience enabled the first successful wagon crossing of the Sierra Nevada.
12 May 2025
S1 E1: First Wagons to California
This episode explores the 1844 Stephens-Townsend-Murphy Party's successful journey to California, highlighting their pioneering achievement of being the first wagon train to reach California.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
11,506
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.5 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 38 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
33
Social presence
0
YouTube
76
Engagement
32
Host of American West Live!?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
