La Junta

La Junta. Santa Fe Trail National Scenic Byway. For westbound travelers, camping here in this green river valley meant that their journey on the Santa Fe Trail was almost over. For travelers headed east it represented a decision, for the trail split here into two very different adventures. The Cimarron Route was shorter but featured hotter terrain and scarce water. The northerly Mountain Route had more water but led a treacherous path over Raton Pass. , The Mountain Route was safer from Indian raids but the Cimarron Route was substantially quicker. The two branches rejoined at the Arkansas River in present-day Kansas. Most travelers used the Cimarron Route. , La Junta , First called La Junta (the junction) for the joining of two small rivers, the Sapello and the Mora, this small settlement was later renamed in honor of pioneer farmer and merchant Samuel B. Watrous. His store, built to serve Santa Fe Trail travelers, is to your right. When Fort Union was built in 1851, only eight miles away, it dramatically increased the traffic into the small town and encouraged settlement of the area. , On the Road , In August of 1846, General Stephen Watts Kearny and his troops camped here two days prior to traveling to Las Vegas, 20 miles to the southwest, and proclaiming New Mexico as part of the United States. , Trail Sites Nearby , Las Vegas, New Mexico , The well-preserved trail-era town of Las Vegas is home to the Las Vegas Citizens' Committee for Historic Preservation which has interesting exhibits on the Santa Fe Trail. , Fort Union National Monument , Fort Union protected the western end of the trail and supplied both military units and private caravans. The last fort on the site, built in 1863, is now in ruins, but a visitor center and interpretive trail describe the history of the once-bustling fort. , Wagon Mound , This landmark can be seen for miles and signaled to the westbound trail travelers that they were only twelve days from Santa Fe.