Gardner Junction

The Santa Fe, Oregon, and California trails split at Gardner Junction — just outside of Gardner, Kansas — and was a place of commerce for many. The exhibits below tell the tales of farmers, fortune seekers, Indians, missionaries, traders, and soldiers that passed this way.

These exhibits can be viewed using Adobe Acrobat Reader. To download this free program, click here. If you have a slow Internet connection, it may take a few minutes to access the files.

 

Visit the Trails - East 
Yesterday and Today: a look at the Santa Fe, Oregon, and California trails.
(3.4 MB pdf)

 

Visit the Trails - Northwest
Yesterday and Today: a look at the Oregon and California trails through stories, maps, and sites. (2 MB pdf)

 

Visit the Trail - West  
Yesterday and Today: a look at the Santa Fe Trail through chronicles, pictures, and tour routes. (1.5 MB pdf)

 

Following Their Dreams  
As many as 350,000 people listened to stories, looked for purpose, and tried for the wealth. (3.3 MB pdf)

 

Apprehension and Conflict  
Emigrants feared moving west into the wilderness; the very lands that Indians cherished and had taken away. (2.8 MB pdf)

 

Eye of the Needle  
Who determined the landmark location of this junction where three well traveled trails cross? (1.5 MB pdf)

 

From Prairie Schooners To Locomotives  
Why, how, and when did travel change along three vast historic routes? Watch the progression. (1.5 MB pdf)