Kid's Pages - Santa Fe Trail

Have you ever taken a long trip in a car? Was it uncomfortable? Did it seem to take forever? Today, we can drive the Santa Fe trail in 2-3 days by car. Now imagine traveling the trail in a wagon, or even walking it. How long do you think it would take? Most wagon trains on the Santa Fe trail traveled for eight to ten weeks before reaching their final destination! The Santa Fe trail was a trade route used between 1821-1869 long before railroads, highways or airplanes. People on the trail traveled between Independence, Missouri and Santa Fe, Mexico. On the way, they stopped to trade with anyone they passed.

Wagons on the Santa Fe Trail

Traders from the Eastern United States traveled to Santa Fe to trade with Mexican merchants. (Santa Fe, and the entire area we now know as New Mexico was still part of Mexico during the early years of the Santa Fe trail.)They hoped to sell goods from the United States in Mexico and bring back goods from Mexico to sell in the United States. On the journey they encountered the Native Americans of the great plains who wore robes made of buffalo fur which kept them warm on the cold prairie. Attracted by this unfamiliar product, traders began trading with Native Americans for buffalo robes. They would take the robes back to the East and sell them as rugs and blankets. In return for the buffalo robes, Native Americans received steel products, glass beads and variety of decorative items.

Conestoga Wagon

People traveled the Santa Fe trail in wagon trains. Oxen were used to pull the heavy Conestoga wagons full of trade goods. In addition to the oxen, mules and horses often carried personal gear packed on their backs. This did not leave much room for people to ride so most people walked along side the wagons. In the winter, they walked in the snow and cold winds. In the summer, it was hot and the insects were fierce. (Have you ever seen flies around a horse?) Traveling the trail was not a leisurely vacation.

Continue on the trail...