Verona Hills in Kansas City in Jackson County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Trail Remnants
Photographed by Thomas Onions, July 5, 2009
1. Trail Remants Marker
Sometimes muddy, often dusty, shared tack of three major roads - the Santa Fe, Oregon, and California Trails, once passed this way. It was created by teamsters urging heavy freight wagons to and from New Mexico. In the 1840's-50s, pioneer families traveled this part of the Santa Fe Trail as they started west to Oregon and California.
Here, travellers found an ideal camp, with water and good grazing. By the 1850s, a stage stop called "New Santa Fe" offered several amenities: a post office, two general stores, an inn, and a shoe shop, drugstore, blacksmith, and saloon.
The wheels of heavy wagons, thousands of hooves, and the feet of generations of people wore deep ruts into the land. The rolling, grass filled swales in front of you are the last hints of these famous western roads.
"At six o'clock we reached (Little Santa Fe), which marks the separation between civilized and uncivilized life. Beyond were the vast plains little known to the white man - the home of the Indian - land of the buffalo."
-William G. Johnson
Overland to California, 1849
" we drove 20 miles to New Santa Fe, on the western borders of Missouri, where we encamped upon the prairie. The mail companion had an agent with whom the passengers found accommodations there was an abundanceof good cheer."
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-W.W. Davis
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1849.
Location. Marker has been reported permanently removed. It was located near 38° 54.42′ N, 94° 36.354′ W. Marker was in Kansas City, Missouri, in Jackson County. It was in Verona Hills. It was on West Santa Fe Trail west of Belleview Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 902 W Santa Fe Trail, Kansas City MO 64145, United States of America.
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this marker was in the American Midwest, in the Lewis & Clark Corridor, in the Corn Belt, and on the Santa Fe Trail Corridor. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Trail Remnants (here, next to this marker); New Santa Fe (a few steps from this marker); Santa Fe Christian Church (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named New Santa Fe (within shouting distance of this marker); Santa Fe Trail (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Trail Hazards (approx. 2 miles away); Amache Prowers (approx. 2.1 miles away); James Beckwourth (approx. 2.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kansas City.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Oregon and California National Historical Trails / Santa Fe National Historic Trail (was here, next to this marker but has been confirmed missing).
Credits. This page was last revised on July 19, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 28, 2022, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas. This page has been viewed 314 times since then and 30 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on July 7, 2009, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide shot of the marker in context. • Can you help?
