Near Lakin in Kearny County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Santa Fe Trail Ruts
1821 - 1872
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., November 11, 2012
1. Santa Fe Trail Ruts Marker
Inscription.
Santa Fe Trail Ruts. Looking east, up and over the bank of the ditch, one can see the wagon ruts of the Santa Fe Trail. You will notice a difference in the color and texture of the grass in the ruts. This is characteristic of the ruts along the trail. Between Pawnee Rock and Santa Fe, New Mexico, it was customary for the wagons to travel four abreast. This allowed for quicker circling in case of attack. In the distance to the south can be seen trees lining the banks of the Arkansas River. During the early years of the trail, this was the boundary between Mexico and the United States.
Looking east, up and over the bank of the ditch, one can see the wagon ruts of the Santa Fe Trail. You will notice a difference in the color and texture of the grass in the ruts. This is characteristic of the ruts along the trail. Between Pawnee Rock and Santa Fe, New Mexico, it was customary for the wagons to travel four abreast. This allowed for quicker circling in case of attack. In the distance to the south can be seen trees lining the banks of the Arkansas River. During the early years of the trail, this was the boundary between Mexico and the United States.
Erected 1987 by Kearny County Historical Society and Kansas State Historical Society. (Marker Number 72.)
Location. 37° 58.445′ N, 101° 11.12′ W. Marker is near Lakin, Kansas, in Kearny County. Marker is on U.S. 50/400 east of Road W2, on the left when traveling east. Marker is at a roadside turnout about four miles east of Lakin. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lakin KS 67860, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . 1. Santa Fe National Historic Trail. (Submitted on June 9, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.) 2. Santa Fe Trail Association. (Submitted on June 9, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., November 11, 2012
2. Santa Fe Trail Ruts Marker
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., November 11, 2012
3. Walk to Santa Fe Trail Ruts
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., November 11, 2012
4. Santa Fe Trail Ruts and Marker
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., November 11, 2012
5. Santa Fe Trail Ruts
US Hwy 50/400 in background
Credits. This page was last revised on September 3, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 8, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 905 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 9, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
