On the Way Home by Laura Ingalls Wilder

On the Way Home

The Diary of a Trip From South Dakota to Mansfield, Missouri, in 1894

Laura Ingalls Wilder

HarperCollins · Print & ebook · October 20, 1976

A detailed diary from the author of the beloved Little House series, chronicling her journey with her family from South Dakota to Missouri.

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Who it’s for
Laura Ingalls Wilder’s diary brings a family’s 1894 journey into close, personal view.
Themes
Family journey, Searching for a new home, Travel in 1894
Genres
Historical Biographies for Kids, 19th Century U.S., State & Local History

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About this book

A detailed diary from the author of the beloved Little House series, chronicling her journey with her family from South Dakota to Missouri. In 1894, Laura Ingalls Wilder, her husband, Almanzo, and their daughter, Rose, packed their belongings into their covered wagon and set out on a journey from De Smet, South Dakota, to Mansfield, Missouri. They heard that the soil there was rich and the crops were bountiful—it was even called "the Land of the Big Red Apple."

Continue reading

With hopes of beginning a new life, the Wilders made their way to the Ozarks of Missouri. During their journey, Laura kept a detailed diary of events: the cities they passed through, the travelers they encountered on the way, the changing countryside and the trials of an often difficult voyage. Laura's words, preserved in this book, are a fascinating account of life and travel at the turn of the twentieth century, and reveal Laura’s inner thoughts as she traveled with her family in search of a new home in Mansfield, where Laura would write her Little House books.

A Journey in Detail

Laura Ingalls Wilder’s diary brings a family’s 1894 journey into close, personal view.

Come here for

  • Changing landscapes and fellow travelers, observed firsthand
  • A family journey alongside Laura’s private thoughts

Expect

  • Cities, countryside, and the strains of travel
  • A personal record in Laura’s own words

Where it sits

Historical Biographies for Kids60%
19th Century U.S.34%
State & Local History32%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • Historical Biographies for Kids
  • Writers' Lives for Kids
  • Parents & Parenting
  • State & Local History
Show all 8 publisher categories
  • 19th Century U.S.
  • 20th Century U.S.
  • Farm & Ranch Life
  • New Experiences
Authors
Laura Ingalls Wilder
Publisher
HarperCollins
Published
October 20, 1976
Format
Print & ebook
Theme
Family journey · Searching for a new home · Travel in 1894
Reading lane
Historical Biographies for Kids