The Historic Santa Fe Trail

Ah - The West! The unknown land beyond the wide Missouri River! Booming trade between young America and Mexico exploded after the yoke of Spanish rule was lifted from Santa Fe in 1821. First with pack mules heading out across the unexplored prairie through dangerous Indian country, then thousands of lumbering covered wagons on The Trail carried guns, iron, whiskey, cotton, coffee, for the southwest trade; the story of The Santa Fe Trail embodies the unique early-day West America loves. And, too, rich Mexican land-owners in the far west soon joined in, bringing mules, silver, pelts, and gold up The Trail to bustling St. Louis markets. It was the talk of the nation.