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8 unusual facts about Santa Fe Trail


Charles E. Kearney

He moved to Kansas City in 1852 where he outfitted travelers on the Oregon Trail and Santa Fe Trail from Westport, Missouri.

George Wilkins Kendall

Kendall traveled to Texas in 1841 and joined the Texas Santa Fe Expedition that had been initiated by Republic of Texas President Mirabeau B. Lamar to gain control over the Santa Fe Trail and to secure Texas claims to New Mexico.

Joseph Gale

As early as 1830, Joseph Gale had traveled the Santa Fe Trail from Missouri to Taos and was fur trapping in the southern Rocky Mountains.

Kaw Mission

The Santa Fe Trail operated as a commerce route between the Missouri and Mexico.

New Mexico State Road 161

Shortly before reaching Fort Union, NM 161 crosses the former path of the Santa Fe Trail which is still visible as a broad, shallow ditch or low spot in the terrain.

Philip St. George Cooke

As Captain in command of 200 Dragoons, he disarmed and arrested Colonel Snively's Republic of Texas company of about 100 men, who were attempting to disrupt trade along the Santa Fe Trail, in what was described as the Second Texas Santa Fe Expedition.

Tooth of Time

It was well-known among the overland traders on the Santa Fe Trail, who used it to mark the final seven day push to Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Young County, Texas

Pedro Vial came through the region in 1789 while charting the Santa Fe Trail.


Cyrus K. Holliday

He is portrayed in the 1940 movie "Santa Fe Trail" by Henry O'Neill as a promoter of commerce and development in the American West of his time.

Francisco Xavier Chávez

His sons Mariano, José and Antonio José continued and expanded the family business of carrying freight between Mexico and the United States along the Santa Fe Trail.

San Miguel del Vado Land Grant

During the Mexican–American War in 1846 General Kearny's forces followed the Santa Fe Trail below Bent's Fort to invade and establish a U.S. provisional government of New Mexico.

U.S. Route 350

It then continues the rest of its length along a route chosen by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, and close to the Mountain Branch of the Santa Fe Trail.

Weston, Missouri

William Buffalo Bill Cody was at one time a resident of Weston, and the town was a major "jumping off" point for the Santa Fe Trail, the Oregon Trail and the California Gold Rush.


see also

Curley Williams

Williams debuted with a band named The Santa Fe Trail Riders on WPAX in Thomasville, Georgia around 1940.

Ocate Peak

Originally, due to the heightened chance of meeting marauding Indians on the plains, the Santa Fe Trail kept as close to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains as possible, passing through Rayado to the community of Ocate and passing west of Ocate Peak.

Santa Fe Trail Middle School

Santa Fe Trail Middle School is one of the nine middle schools in Olathe, Kansas.