Santa Fe Trail

The Santa Fe Trail was a historic 19th century transportation route across southwestern North America connecting Missouri with Santa Fe, New Mexico. First used in 1821 by William Becknell it served as a vital commercial and military highway until the arrival of the railroad to Santa Fe in 1880. At first an international trade route between the United States and Mexico, it served as the 1846 U.S. invasion route of New Mexico during the Mexican-American War. After the U.S. acquisition of the Southwest, the trail helped open the region to U.S. economic development and settlement, playing a vital role in the expansion of the U.S. into the lands it had acquired. The route of road is commemorated today by the National Park Service as the Santa Fe National Historic Trail.

History

In 1821 William Becknell organized the first party to trade in New Mexico. By 1850 a monthly stagecoach line was established between Independence, Missouri and Santa Fe (earlier beginnings of the trail were Franklin and Westport). The arrival of the railroad in Santa Fe in 1880 marked the end of the Santa Fe Trail.

Related Topics:
William Becknell - 1850 - Stagecoach - Independence, Missouri - Franklin - Westport

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Part of the route has been designated a National Scenic Byway.

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A dramatization of life on the route was made into a motion picture in 1941, starring Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Raymond Massey and Ronald Reagan.

Related Topics:
1941 - Errol Flynn - Olivia de Havilland - Raymond Massey - Ronald Reagan

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