Along the Santa Fe Trail - Clayton, New Mexico
Posted by: 
BruceS
N 36° 26.486 W 103° 10.678
13S E 663303 N 4034454
Marker giving history of a section of the Santa Fe Trail in northeast New Mexico. The marker is located next to the Clayton Visitors Center.
Waymark Code: WME7K1
Location: New Mexico, United States
Date Posted: 04/14/2012
Views: 10
Text of marker:
Along the Santa Fe Trail
The Cimarron Route of the Santa Fe Trail, running through the Kiowa National Grassland, was opened as an international trade route in 1822. At that time, the Arkansas River was the boundary between the United States and Mexico. Caravans of wagons organized by American and Mexican merchants faced a difficult journey between western Missouri and Santa Fe. Along the way, water could only be found in a few scattered springs. The lack of water and conflicts with Indians resisting invasions of their territory made for a difficult journey.
In the 1840's, the longer, better-watered and safer Mountain Route was opened through Colorado enroot to Santa Fe. Travelers now had a choice between speed or safety; an important decision for merchants trying to reach new markets.
At the Kiowa national Grassland Santa Fe site, you may see ruts, or swales created by the many thousands of freight laden wagons which passed between Independence, Missouri and Santa Fe, New Mexico, primarily between the years 1828 and 1876. The Cimarron Route, the shortest and easiest, was also by far the most dangerous because of the lack of water and the hostilities with Native Americans.