The Santa Fe Trail

Becknell. William Becknell. He was a prior soldier and freight operator in Missouri, and started the Santa Fe Trail. It’s 194 years old this year. The Santa Fe Trail was used mainly for trading with Mexico, due to the new independance from Spain. Most common item traded was cloth, but other items included tools, knives, shawls, buttons, and other things; most of these items were stocked in Last Chance General Store in Council Grove, and was the last stop to stock up on items before heading to the open road.

You may find this when you’re driving down the Santa Fe Trail, for there is a scenic highway that roughly follows the route; and while you’re out there, if you look closely at some parts of the trail, you can see the ruts from the wagons from over 150 years ago.

There were some other trails that were used during the time as well. The most notable is the Oregon Trail, which followed the path of Lewis and Clark to, well, Oregon. This trail was mainly used by settlers heading west, whereas the Santa Fe Trail was used for trading with Mexico.