This Way to Oregon
- Sep 24, 2025
- 2 min read
I am a bit obsessed with pioneer stories. There is something about the grit and determination it took to move through the harsh unknown that speaks to me. The Oregon Trail has always been one of my favorites. While the trail didn't make it as far out as the coast, I'm still close enough to know that I must have a soap made with an Oregon Trail story.
The Oregon Trail and Its Legacy
This story, the one you are about to watch in my homemade video, is mostly about the Gold Rush. But, the sign is from the Oregon Trail, and the pioneer spirit is the same.
Here is the fable that led to the soap. We will call it The Tale of "This Way to Oregon".
The Fork in the Road
As the legend goes, during the height of the Gold Rush (late 1840s to early 1850s), westward travelers on the Oregon Trail reached a fork near Raft River in Idaho. The pioneers faced one of many decisions that must be made on their travels.
⬅️ One road pointed toward California, newly flooded with gold-seekers.
➡️ The other pointed toward Oregon, promising farmland, timber, and the chance to build a new life.
The story says that at this fork, travelers came upon a handmade wooden sign.
🪧 The California direction was marked by a pile of glittering gold-painted rocks: enticing, showy, loud.
🪧 The Oregon direction had a humble hand-painted message: “This Way to Oregon.”
Choices and Character
According to the legend, the contrast between the two paths reflected the choices of character:
Those driven by greed, blinded by gold fever, followed the glittering path to California.
Those who could see past the surface, who sought endurance, community, and quiet opportunity, chose the Oregon Trail.
The implication?
“Those who could read chose Oregon.”
The Soap Making Process
Our activated charcoal bar has always been made with a hot process. If you don't know that term, that's completely fine. If you're interested, I can make a post about the different ways soap can be made. Let me know in the comments.
The reason we decided to keep this bar as a hot process is simple. It’s a slow process. Only a small amount can be made at a time. This method gives the bar a bit of a "rough or rugged" look. We felt that these qualities held true for our "This Way to Oregon" bar.
The Essence of Oregon Coast Soaps
Oregon Coast Soaps aims to share the unique essence of the Oregon Coast through handmade products. We want to become the go-to brand for those seeking a tangible connection to the region's natural beauty and stories.
If you would like to learn more about the Oregon Coast, or just want a good read, here are some of my favorite books.
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