Audio
Black Jack Ruts Orientation Exhibit Audio Description
Transcript
Trailhead
Welcome to Black Jack Ruts and the Ivan Boyd Prairie Preserve. 783 words.
From the parking area, a wide gravel path leads to the wagon ruts. It curves to the right where it crosses a tree-lined creek with glimpses of the prairie beyond. Next to the path is this 3-foot-by-4-foot graphic panel.
In the upper right of the panel is a map of the area. In the lower left is a color illustration by Jen Burkhead showing three covered wagons moving across a yellow- and tan-colored prairie. One is in the lower left, facing diagonally toward the lower right. It is pulled by four oxen. The other two wagons are slightly behind and spaced to the right, moving in the same general direction. The middle one is pulled by oxen. The far wagon is pulled by mules. The caption reads, “Wagons often traveled side by side in open areas to avoid dust and obstacles or to find a smoother path.”
Above the illustration is a quote from Joseph C. Brown, Surveyor which reads, “Here are good camping places, water, wood and pasture good, and plenty. This creek affords some excellent timbered lands.”
Text at the upper left of the panel reads, “The Santa Fe Trail was a 900-mile overland trade route that connected Franklin, Missouri, with Santa Fe, New Mexico. It took wagon trains six to eight weeks to make the journey. As you follow the path, you will discover the physical marks left on the land by thousands of heavy trade wagons.”
“Visit the Prairie and View Trail Swales. Here, the parallel swales left by wagon caravans are as wide as 15 feet with impressions that can be easily seen in aerial photography. While visiting the swales you will have the rare opportunity to experience a native tallgrass prairie where the grasses can grow as high as seven feet. Since most traders walked alongside their wagons, you can imagine moving with them across the landscape.”
“What to look for as you explore. Wagons passing through here negotiated a quickly changing topography. While you explore, you will see and feel the beauty of the prairie and understand more about the challenges of traveling it safely. Take the path across the creek, through the woods, and into the open expanse of prairie. Two exhibits will help you recognize the trail swales in this prairie environment. Use your mobile device to learn more about the features preserved at this site. Scan the code below.”
The map at upper right shows the location of the wagon ruts and a loop trail around them. Numbered points of interest along the trail are identified by a list to the left of the map. The path at your current location begins near the lower left of the map, moves up, curves to the right where it crosses the creek in the woods (point 1), and ends at point number 2 near the lower center of the map. That section of the trail is colored amber and marks the ADA accessible portion of the trail. Point 2 marks the location of the first swale and exhibits. From that point the trail is green and continues up for about a quarter of the way. There it divides into a loop that crosses several Thick lines in dark gray which mark the location of the ruts or swales themselves. Moving counterclockwise, point 3 marks the place the trail crosses the largest and deepest swales. Farther along, point 4 marks a location on a high ridge with a prairie view. Point 5 is at the farthest point on the loop where there is a marker and dramatics swales view. Point 6 along the return path takes you through the prairie through the seasons.
At bottom right a small map shows the Santa Fe Trail from Franklin, Missouri to Santa Fe. Your current location in eastern Kansas is indicated. Text reads, “This early in the journey, caravans could still get help or supplies. Soon they would be on their own.”
“What’s in a Name? The Santa Fe Trail town, creek, and battle of Black Jack got their names because of the blackjack oaks growing along the creek. Ivan Boyd was a naturalist and conservationist who lived in Baldwin, Kansas, and taught at Baker University.”
“Use Your Mobile Device to Take the Tour. Use your phone’s camera to scan the code or type in the URL to take a tour of this site and find more trail places to visit. go.nps.gov/BlackJackRuts”
“Thank you for making this experience possible: Douglas County Heritage Conservation Council; Santa Fe Trail Historical Society; Santa Fe Trail Association; Kansas Dept. of Transportation; Ad Astra Alpaca Farm; Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area.”
End of Description.
Description
Listen to the audio description of the Black Jack Ruts' orientation exhibit.
Copyright and Usage Info