Boone's Lick Road - Cross Keys Tavern (1829) - Jonesburg, MO - Wagon Roads and Trails on Waymarking.com

The marker states:

BOONE'S LICK ROAD
Cross Keys Tavern (1829)
Marked by the
Daughters of the
American Revolution
and the
State of Missouri
1913

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James Jones, who built the Cross Keys Tavern, was a farmer who came from Rockingham County, Virginia. He rented Widow Bast’s farm. This tavern was an important stage stop in 1829. Later the town of Jonesburg was started. James Jones became the first postmaster in 1828 and the center room of the tavern was the post office. There were no stamps so postage charges were kept in account books which were passed down to members of the family.

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The trail originated as an old Indian trace. In the 1764, the first part of the trail was expanded by trappers through St. Louis County, Missouri. This part of the trail is known as St. Charles Rock Road. The trail was expanded by brothers Daniel Morgan and Nathanal Boone, sons of famous frontiersman Daniel Boone, as part of gaining access to salt springs near present day New Franklin, Missouri. The complete trail from St. Louis to Franklin, Missouri takes its name from the Boone brothers. In 1821, William Becknell established a trail from Franklin to Santa Fe, Mexico, there by establishing the Santa Fe Trail. The Santa Fe Trail at Kansas City splits off into other major trail such as the California and Oregon Trails. The Boone's Lick trail is the land route to the beginning of the Santa Fe Trail and carried many of those who would settle the west.

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These markers were placed in 1913 by the Daughter's of the American Revolution. The original trail was reported to have markers placed along it every few miles. When the DAR placed these markers, they placed, they were placed where the original markers were along the trail.

Following the trail can give some perspective of how Missouri looked in the 19th century. Asside from modern roads and buildings, once you get outside of the cities, there is a feel for the original topography of the land. The Boone's Lick Road's path can be followed and seen as roads built prior to the I-70's construction. Throughout St. Charles county, the road generally follows MO-94 and County Highway N. As the road progresses through the west, you will see many roads named "Boone's Lick Road" or Boonslick Road" taking the name from the original road paved over.

From this point you the traveler can travel to the west by visiting waypoint WM3XN2 or Lewiston or back towards St. Louis to the east by visiting waypoint WM5RDF or Camp Branch.

Perhaps the best website I have seen giving an understanding of the trail, is from the LDS church. Their focus is Mormon usage of the trail, but you start to get a feel for the layout of the trail.

Road of Trail Name: Boonslick Trail State: Missouri County: Warren Historical Significance: Boone's Lick trail was founded by Nathan and Daniel Morgan Boone, sons of famous frontiersman Daniel Boone. Used as a western expansion trail and road, eventually becoming a direct road to the start of the Santa Fe Trail. Years in use: 1808 to 1880's and developed into State and County roads. How you discovered it: Research into the routing of the Boone's Lick Trail/Road. Website Explination: State Park information for the end of the trail can be found at: http://mostateparks.com/booneslick.htm As well as about the spring at: http://www.nps.gov/archive/safe/fnl-sft/photos/mopages/saltspg.htm Why?: Initially, the trail was originally an Indian/hunting trace/trail. The discovery of a saline spring near Franklin, MO, created a business oportunity for the Boone brothers. They marked the trail for passage to and from the spring. As westward expansion proceeded, the trail was used by thousands going westward. The trail was used from St. Louis to New Franklin (re-established after "old" Franklin was destroyed by a flood). From New Franklin, people would gain access to the Santa Fe Trail. This access became the starting point for access to all the major westward expansion trails, the California, Oregon, and Santa Fe, to name a few. Directions: Located on Booneslick Road on the east side of Jonesburg. Book on Wagon Road or Trial: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
To post a log for this Waymark the poster must have a picture of either themselves, GPSr, or mascot. People in the picture with information about the waymark are preferred. If the waymarker can not be in the picture a picture of their GPSr or mascot will qualify. There are no exceptions to this rule.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   10/09/2016 Arthur & Trillian visited it 05/12/2015 YoSam. visited it

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