I never played the 1970s version of Oregon Trail.  According to the ArsTechnica review of this 2009 Apple iPhone/iPod touch version, in the original game:

“Kids learned what it took to bring a party of settlers from Independence, Missouri along the trail that snaked its way west into Oregon territory”

The review is fantastic, given that Erica Sadun let her two daughters play the game, and they become thoroughly engrossed while learning about history.  More games should be like this.  And the price is right:  6$.