The Santa Fe Trail
Following the loss of France's territories in North America in 1763, what is now Missouri was ceded to Spain. Spain and France remained allies after the French and Indian War, which allowed many French traders and trappers on the frontier to continue with business as usually. Auguste Chouteau, ancestor of mixed-race Shawnee ballerina Yvonne Chouteau, and his stepson Pierre LaClade moved to what is now St. Louis and set up their trading business. The Spanish realized the possibilities of a trade route accessing the Mississippi River and, in 1792, began tracing a route from Santa Fe, New Mexico to St. Louis, in some parts using well-worn Native trading and hunting trails. The Santa Fe to St. Louis trail is better known to Americans as the Santa Fe Trail.
In the days of the early frontier and during the settlement of the American west, St. Louis remained the staging area for immigrants heading into the unknown. It was also a trading hub and a natural focal point for Native trading parties and peace parleys. American traders and settlers were quick to exploit the possibilities of the Santa Fe Trail, which traced from Missouri into Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and into New Mexico, where it joined up with another trail which led down into Mexico. Traffic along the Trail picked up in the 1820's, after Mexico won independence from Spain and traders in New Mexico were free to exploit its opportunities without central government interference.
The Trail skirted Comanche territory for much of its route, but at one point cut through the northwestern boundary of the Comanche hunting range known as Comancheria. The Comanche didn't accept this intrusion lightly and traders or travelers who ventured along the trail in Texas risked raids by Comanche warriors. Despite their efforts to protect their land, however, the flow of settlers kept coming, cutting off the bison herds that would normally migrate into Texas and thus diminished the Comanche food supply. Comanche raids in Texas and New Mexico were unavailing in stopping the traffic on the trail. In 1848, during the Mexican War, Santa Fe became a staging area for troops heading to war in Mexico. Increased military presence on the trail led to yet more conflicts with the Comanche.
Railroad tracks and later roads claimed much of the Santa Fe Trail route, but elements of it remain in what is now Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. Portions of the original trail are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Santa Fe Trail Remains near Dodge City still bears wagon ruts from the repeated use of the trail and is a National Historic Landmark.
In the days of the early frontier and during the settlement of the American west, St. Louis remained the staging area for immigrants heading into the unknown. It was also a trading hub and a natural focal point for Native trading parties and peace parleys. American traders and settlers were quick to exploit the possibilities of the Santa Fe Trail, which traced from Missouri into Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and into New Mexico, where it joined up with another trail which led down into Mexico. Traffic along the Trail picked up in the 1820's, after Mexico won independence from Spain and traders in New Mexico were free to exploit its opportunities without central government interference.
The Trail skirted Comanche territory for much of its route, but at one point cut through the northwestern boundary of the Comanche hunting range known as Comancheria. The Comanche didn't accept this intrusion lightly and traders or travelers who ventured along the trail in Texas risked raids by Comanche warriors. Despite their efforts to protect their land, however, the flow of settlers kept coming, cutting off the bison herds that would normally migrate into Texas and thus diminished the Comanche food supply. Comanche raids in Texas and New Mexico were unavailing in stopping the traffic on the trail. In 1848, during the Mexican War, Santa Fe became a staging area for troops heading to war in Mexico. Increased military presence on the trail led to yet more conflicts with the Comanche.
Railroad tracks and later roads claimed much of the Santa Fe Trail route, but elements of it remain in what is now Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. Portions of the original trail are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Santa Fe Trail Remains near Dodge City still bears wagon ruts from the repeated use of the trail and is a National Historic Landmark.
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