History
The Santa Fe Trail came to be during September of 1821 when William Becknell, along with five other men, began their journey Westward from Franklin, Missouri. Their expedition continued for more than two months before they reached their destination of New Mexico.
When the journey was completed, the men encountered Captain Don Pedro Ignacio Gallego and his Urban Militia from Abiquiu who were headed East after being re-directed from their original Westward destination. Becknell and his men were brought to Santa Fe to meet with Governor Facundo Melgares, where they were then asked to return to Missouri in order to bring goods to New Mexico back with them.
Over the next several years, both inhabitants of Missouri and New Mexico engaged in the booming trade business along the Santa Fe Trail. The trail continued to provide a source of trade for the next twenty-four years, however, by 1824, the city of Santa Fe was filled with an overabundance of goods. As a result, traders traveled further along the trail, continuing into several states of Old Mexico including Sonora, Sinoloa, and Chihuahua. Merchants from New Mexico often traveled along the trail into cities including Albuquerque, onto St. Louis, and later New York City, from which they would return back to Santa Fe or continue over the Atlantic Ocean.
Various types of cloths, including chambray, flannels, linens, and silks were the items most frequently brought back to New Mexico, while merchants from Missouri often returned with silver coins, wool, and mules. The amount of silver coins brought into the state allowed Missouri to flourish while the rest of the country floundered in the wake of the financial depression lasting from 1821 to 1848.
When the Mexican-American War began in 1846, the Santa Fe Trail began to be used as as means of invasion. General Kearney led his army along the trail and into New Mexico where he later stationed his men. The initial invasion remained peaceful and the trail was used as a military supply route until the war ended.
When the journey was completed, the men encountered Captain Don Pedro Ignacio Gallego and his Urban Militia from Abiquiu who were headed East after being re-directed from their original Westward destination. Becknell and his men were brought to Santa Fe to meet with Governor Facundo Melgares, where they were then asked to return to Missouri in order to bring goods to New Mexico back with them.
Over the next several years, both inhabitants of Missouri and New Mexico engaged in the booming trade business along the Santa Fe Trail. The trail continued to provide a source of trade for the next twenty-four years, however, by 1824, the city of Santa Fe was filled with an overabundance of goods. As a result, traders traveled further along the trail, continuing into several states of Old Mexico including Sonora, Sinoloa, and Chihuahua. Merchants from New Mexico often traveled along the trail into cities including Albuquerque, onto St. Louis, and later New York City, from which they would return back to Santa Fe or continue over the Atlantic Ocean.
Various types of cloths, including chambray, flannels, linens, and silks were the items most frequently brought back to New Mexico, while merchants from Missouri often returned with silver coins, wool, and mules. The amount of silver coins brought into the state allowed Missouri to flourish while the rest of the country floundered in the wake of the financial depression lasting from 1821 to 1848.
When the Mexican-American War began in 1846, the Santa Fe Trail began to be used as as means of invasion. General Kearney led his army along the trail and into New Mexico where he later stationed his men. The initial invasion remained peaceful and the trail was used as a military supply route until the war ended.
Geography
The Santa Fe Trail extends approximately 780 miles from Independence, Missouri to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Council Grove, Kansas served as the main wagon organization point, from which travelers continued on through the plains of Kansas, crossing the Arkansas River, and carrying on to Dodge City, Kansas.
The Northern Mountain Division portion of the route continues along the river to Bent's Fort, turning southward. The Cutoff Division, a more direct route, continued along the Arkansas River to cross the Great Plains and finally end up in Fort Union, New Mexico to join once more with the Northern path. The Southern route, although not as rugged as the Northern one, was filled with little wildlife and poor, dry grass.
The Northern Mountain Division portion of the route continues along the river to Bent's Fort, turning southward. The Cutoff Division, a more direct route, continued along the Arkansas River to cross the Great Plains and finally end up in Fort Union, New Mexico to join once more with the Northern path. The Southern route, although not as rugged as the Northern one, was filled with little wildlife and poor, dry grass.
Importance
Beginning as early as 1821, the Santa Fe Trail was used as a commercial route connecting Missouri and the city of Santa Fe. This route quickly became a booming trade route as more and more traders used this trail to transport their goods. This trail continued to be used as a commercial highway until the Mexican-American War began in 1846. The Santa Fe Trail was followed by The Army of the West in order to invade New Mexico. Following the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ended the war in 1848, this trail was used to connect the United States to its southwest territories.
This trail was not only used as a national road, however, and commercial freighting along the route continued. Thousands of gold-seekers followed the Santa Fe trail in search of gold, and later over $40 million worth of goods was carried over the trail in 1866. The trail eventually faded into history in 1880 when the railroad reached Santa Fe.
While the Santa Fe Trail was known more commonly as a commercial route, it also served as a passage connecting the United States and Mexico. This trail continued to be used for many years as a channel into the cultures of both Spanish and Native Americans. International exchange and interaction occurred very often along the Santa Fe Trail, and this multi-cultural history is reflected today in its diversity among inhabitants surrounding the area.
This trail was not only used as a national road, however, and commercial freighting along the route continued. Thousands of gold-seekers followed the Santa Fe trail in search of gold, and later over $40 million worth of goods was carried over the trail in 1866. The trail eventually faded into history in 1880 when the railroad reached Santa Fe.
While the Santa Fe Trail was known more commonly as a commercial route, it also served as a passage connecting the United States and Mexico. This trail continued to be used for many years as a channel into the cultures of both Spanish and Native Americans. International exchange and interaction occurred very often along the Santa Fe Trail, and this multi-cultural history is reflected today in its diversity among inhabitants surrounding the area.