Fort Leavenworth in Leavenworth County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Santa Fe and Oregon Trails

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 27, 2013

1. Santa Fe and Oregon Trails Marker

Inscription.
This cut is part of the old Santa Fe Trail. Many years ago the Missouri River came near this site and thousands of early settlers were ferried here. Their wagons and teams climbed this hill and headed west toward Santa Fe and the Oregon Territory. The Oregon Trail junction is south of here near Gardner, Kansas. This cut resulted from great tramping on the land.

Besides Fort Leavenworth, other termini along the Missouri River were at Westport, Franklin, and Independence.

The Santa Fe Trail was designated as a National Historic Trail by Public Law 100-35, May 8, 1987. A copy of the descriptive map is on file at the post museum.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Oregon Trail, and the Santa Fe Trail series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is May 8, 1901.

Location. 39° 21.315′ N, 94° 54.922′ W. Marker is in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, in Leavenworth County. Marker is on Riverside Drive east of Scott Avenue, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Leavenworth KS 66027, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Leigh Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); The Oregon and Santa Fe Trails

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(about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Zais Park (about 400 feet away); Site of Old Blockhouse (about 500 feet away); Grant (about 500 feet away); First Capital of Kansas Territory (approx. 0.2 miles away); Site of Former Burial Ground (approx. ¼ mile away); French Aid During American Revolution (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Leavenworth.

More about this marker. The marker is within the Fort Leavenworth reservation. Public access to the post is possible with proper identification, subject to U.S. Army regulations.

Also see . . .
1. Santa Fe National Historic Trail. National Park Service website entry (Submitted on July 14, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

2. Oregon National Historic Trail. National Park Service website entry (Submitted on July 14, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Road to Oregon and Santa Fe Trail Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 27, 2013

2. Road to Oregon and Santa Fe Trail Marker

On pillar next to marker

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 27, 2013

3. Santa Fe and Oregon Trails Marker

Rut and Missouri River in background

Santa Fe and Oregon Trails Rut image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 27, 2013

4. Santa Fe and Oregon Trails Rut

Missouri River in distant background

Credits. This page was last revised on June 2, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 764 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 14, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.