Paden, Irene Dakin, 1888-1974

Historian, traveller. Her two books "The Wake of the Prairie Schooner" (1943) and "Prairie Schooner Detours" (1949) describe overland trails for those who wish to follow them in twentieth century automobiles. Her "Big Oak Flat Road" (1955) is a history of route from Stockton to Yosemite. From 1931 through 1952, Mrs. Paden and her husband, William, each year travelled some portion of overland trails for a month or two. She kept daily journals of these travels and collected substantial files of accounts by earlier travellers over same terrain.

Biography

Irene Dakin Paden (1888-1974), self-styled "housewife," lived and pursued the study of the history of the American West for more than forty years in Alameda (Calif.). Her husband, Dr. William G. Paden, a descendant of the Locke family of San Joaquin Valley pioneers, was the Alameda Superintendent of Schools. Together the Padens spent many summers during the 1930s and 1940s seeking and following the 19th century emigrant trails that lead to California. Mrs. Paden kept copious notes of these explorations and during the winters carried out preparatory research for the following summer's excursions. She is the author of three books on western history: The Wake of the Prairie Schooner (1943), an overview of travels on the Overland trail from the Missouri River to the California gold fields; Prairie Schooner Detours (1949), an extension of the first book, examining alternative routes on the Overland Trail; and The Big Oak Flat Road (1955), a history of the route from Stockton to the Yosemite Valley.