SANTA FE TRAIL DouglasCounty SANTA FE TRAIL

STory by MArta JArdon & Jenni LeistE | iLlustRation & DeSign by Jenni LeistE

The Santa Fe Trail was the “Super Highway” of commercial trade connecting Missouri to New Mexico in the 1800s. The Trail ran through southern Douglas County and is part of Baldwin’s rich local history. Test your survivor skills and knowledge about the Trail by playing “The Santa Fe Trail Game” on the next pages! More information about the Trail and local history can be found on the website maintained by our local chapter of the Santa Fe Trail Historical Society at www.santafetraildouglas.org.

THE SANTA FE TRAIL (SFT) BEGAN AS A TRADE ROUTE BETWEEN MISSOURI AND NEW MEXICO IN SEPTEMBER 1821. BY 1880, THE RAILROADS CROSSED THE USA, CONNECTING THE EAST TO THE WEST. THEY BECAME THE CHEAPER, FASTER TRANSPORTATION ROUTE AND SFT USE DECREASED.

Traders carried various kinds of cloth, needles, thread, and buttons to New Mexico, as well as knives, axes, and other tools for trading The traders sold their wagons and livestock in Santa Fe, NM then returned east to Missouri with silver, wool, and mules. Mexican traders traveled from Santa Fe to St. Louis where they would purchase goods to take back to New Mexico to sell.

Later, the SFT was used as a highway for the military and military posts were established along the Trail. Freighting firms, mail contractors, and the Pony Express traveled the Trail to convey goods and mail from the Eastern US to the Southwest. Many people traveled the trail to New Mexico but some settled in Kansas Territory along the way.

After leaving Independence, Missouri, SFT travelers trekked through Douglas County from the 2nd day into the 5th day of their journey. In Douglas County the SFT followed “The Narrows.” The Narrows is a thin strip of land running on top of a ridgeline between the tributary waters of the Wakarusa River (pronounced WA-ka-ROO-suh) and the Marias de Cygnes River (pronounced MARE-uh de Sane/Zane) watershed. Wagons were often stuck or slowed down in wet or boggy areas. Wagon trains drove along The Narrows to avoid water crossings and muddy areas as much as possible.

The Black Jack, Palmyra, and Willow Springs areas were popular places for wagon trains to stop for water, rest, to camp and make repairs. After Kansas was opened for settlement, towns formed near these places. Although these towns no longer exist, reminders of the SFT still do. Today we can visit the Palmyra Well site. Ruts left by the wagons are visible near Black Jack Crossing. A new walking trail allows visitors to walk around and through these ruts. The location of Willow Springs is marked with two special signs. The Original Route of the SFT, which is on 5 miles of county roads, is marked with signs. The Santa Fe Trail Game will be available for future purchase.

From the Diaries

Black Jack Crossing was the usual camping place along the Trail on the second night traveling West from Independence. The Crossing was 65 miles from Independence MO. The First Night: The first day, travelers usually went about 35 miles and camped west of what is now Olathe in Johnson County KS. (No town existed in the early days of the trail, of course.) Primarily, the Lone Elm or Round Grove campground was used.

NOW: Lone Elm Campground is marked by a park located at W 167th Street and Lone Elm Road, north Olathe in Jo Co KS. It has interpretive signs, hiking trails and more. www.nps.gov/places/000/ lone-elm-campground.htm

Gardner

Stop

What

All players choose a

Roll Dice.