Oxen Yoke

The oxen yoke is the insignia of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers. Oxen teams were the animal best suited for the long pull across the plains in covered wagons. We have two oxen yoke, one small and one large, in the Alpine Relic Hall. Families migrated west during the pioneer era from 1847 until the railroad connected from the east coast to the west coast. There was a large celebration on that monumental day of 10 May 1869 when the pioneer era ended. It took only a few days to cross from the east coast to the west coast by train instead of several months by wagon. We honor our pioneers and the incredible fortitude they displayed in settling the west.