Samuel Barlow was born in Kentucky in 1795. He trained as a tailor and moved to Indiana in 1818 where he married the beautiful Susannah Lee. They had three sons and two daughters, the youngest of whom was born in Oregon.
In 1827, he was convicted of the murder of George Matlock with an ax. After pleas from many citizens, the jury and the murdered man's family, he was pardoned by the governor on the grounds that he was protecting the man's wife and children.
After his release from prison, Barlow joined the army. He participated in the Black Hawk War and then moved to what is now Chicago in 1832, but he was restless and unable to settle.
Searching for a better life
A man of vision, he traveled west with his wife and four children, arriving in the Dalles, Oregon in 1842. However, he soon discovered that the expensive and dangerous boat passage down the Columbia River was beyond their means. He immediately began making plans to build a road south, and in 1843, he partnered with Philip Foster to build the Barlow Road section of the Oregon Trail, which extended south then west around Mount Hood until it reached Oregon City. They agreed to share the expense, the work and the profits equally.
Finding a route
In 1845, he and Joel Palmer explored the possibility of a wagon route south of Mount Hood. After traveling across the country in the same party, the men had become firm friends. In 1845, they was among the first party to climb Mount Hood, and opened the way for recreational climbers, which took off in popularity in the 1880s. They were looking for a way to skirt Mount Hood and took several false turns before deciding to stow their provisions and continue on foot. At last they made it to Oregon City and appealed to the governor for a license.
A license is granted
In 1847 George Abernathy granted permission for Barlow to build The Mount Hood Road (which was always referred to as Barlow Road) Foster bought property at Eagle Creek, so his was the first sign of civilization seen by travelers on the Oregon Trail. Many pioneer diaries refer to the bath, soft bed, fresh fruit and vegetables and home-cooked meals at the Foster farm. Of course, there was a price and Foster lived very comfortably for another 40 years!
The road was a toll road, costing $5 per wagon, every horse, mule,ass or horned cattle was 10 cents. Many pioneers had no money, so paid with a shirt, blanket or promise. Widows were allowed to pass free. Travelers passed in their thousands, and the road was littered with the graves of those who didn't make it.
Barlow spent his time collecting tolls rather than maintaining the road. He relied on the travelers to do that, but most were just pleased it was somewhat passable. However, the infamous Laurel Hill was so steep that wagons had to be let down on ropes secured to sturdy trees.
Not a great profit-maker
The partnership was not profitable and was dissolved in 1848. However, other men applied for the license and the road continued to operate until 1915, when it was bequeathed to the state.
The Barlows built a house and settled in Canby, Oregon, just south of Oregon City. Sam and Susannah are both buried in the tiny Barlow Pioneer Cemetery. It may be said that by carving the road south of Mount Hood, Barlow, Palmer and Foster helped shape the future of Oregon. Although hundreds died along the road, hundreds more would have perished on the northern river route.
Lynne Thompson - Lynne has many diverse interests, ranging from early childhood and crafts to history and literature. She holds a Masters degree in ...
