The Donner Party, also known as the Donner-Reed party, was a group of nearly 90 emigrants led by brothers Jacob and George Donner. The Donner Party was also known as the Donner-Reed party because James and Margaret Reed helped lead the wagon train. This wagon train consisted of nearly 10 families including the Donner and Reed families.
Why did the Donner Party leave Springfield Illinois? The Donner Party left Springfield Illinois on May 12th, 1846. They left Springfield Illinois with a common goal: to find a better life beyond the Rockies. . The Donner Party was heading to Atlas California.
Why did the Donner Party decide to take a shortcut? The Donner Party decided to take a shortcut, Hastings Cutoff,