Last updated: January 13, 2023
Place
Fry's Ruts
Photo/NPS
Quick Facts
Location:
P Ave., between 28th Rd. and 30st Rd., South.of Windom, KS
Significance:
A segment of the Santa Fe Trail with well-preserved ruts
Designation:
National Register of Historic Places
MANAGED BY:
Privately owned
Fry's Ruts are a segment of the Santa Fe Trail associated with the Little Arkansas River crossings. The Trail split into two segments here as it approached the Little Arkansas River because of the variability in the river. As teams approached the River, they had to make a choice about which crossing (upper or lower) was best at the current moment based on current water flow. They chose the safest and easiest route at any given time. The routes merged West of the Fry's Ruts segment.
Today, traces of both segments are visible. The ruts are well-preserved and a silhouette of oxen pulling a wagon along the trail gives the impression of the trail era.
Site Information
Location (P Ave., between 28th Rd. and 30st Rd., South.of Windom, KS)