Independence in Jackson County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Three Trails From Independence
Santa Fe, Oregon and California National Historic Trails
Photographed By Jason Voigt, May 23, 2022
1. Three Trails From Independence Marker
Inscription.
Three Trails From Independence. Santa Fe, Oregon and California National Historic Trails. People on steamboats loaded with goods traveled upstream on the Missouri River "highway" to Independence, where the overland journey on the Santa Fe, Oregon, and California trails began. Between March and November, steamboats passed by or stopped daily at the Independence landings of Blue Mills and Wayne City. With little commercial competition on the frontier, Independence dominated as the favored trail outfitting place until about 1850. Tens of thousands of fur trappers, traders, emigrants, and gold seekers passed through Independence, coming from all over the United States and the world in search of new opportunities in the West. Commerce depended on goods made in the East being transported to Santa Fe. Merchants then hauled Mexican-produced goods, silver, and gold back to Independence via the 800-mile Santa Fe Trail. Travelers migrating to the West bought supplies for the five-month, 2,000-mile trek along the Oregon and California trails. , It is to this beautiful spot, already grown up to be a thriving town, that the prairie adventurer, whether in search of wealth, health, or amusement, [comes], about the first of May…they purchase their provisions for the road, and many of their mules, oxen, and even some of their wagons - in short, load all their vehicles, and make their final preparations for a journey across the prairie wilderness., -Commerce of the Prairies, Josiah Gregg, 1844, (photo caption:), You are about five blocks from Independence Square, historic hub of three national historic trails!
People on steamboats loaded with goods traveled upstream on the Missouri River "highway" to Independence, where the overland journey on the Santa Fe, Oregon, and California trails began. Between March and November, steamboats passed by or stopped daily at the Independence landings of Blue Mills and Wayne City. With little commercial competition on the frontier, Independence dominated as the favored trail outfitting place until about 1850. Tens of thousands of fur trappers, traders, emigrants, and gold seekers passed through Independence, coming from all over the United States and the world in search of new opportunities in the West. Commerce depended on goods made in the East being transported to Santa Fe. Merchants then hauled Mexican-produced goods, silver, and gold back to Independence via the 800-mile Santa Fe Trail. Travelers migrating to the West bought supplies for the five-month, 2,000-mile trek along the Oregon and California trails.
It is to this beautiful spot, already grown up to be a thriving town, that the prairie adventurer, whether in search of wealth, health, or amusement, [comes], about the first of May…they purchase their provisions for the road, and many of their mules, oxen, and even some of their wagons - in short, load all their vehicles, and make their final preparations for a journey across the
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prairie wilderness.
-Commerce of the Prairies, Josiah Gregg, 1844
(photo caption:)
You are about five blocks from Independence Square, historic hub of three national historic trails!
Erected by McCoy Park, Oregon-California Trails Association, City of Independence and the National Park Service.
Location. 39° 5.898′ N, 94° 25.329′ W. Marker is in Independence, Missouri, in Jackson County. Marker is at the intersection of West College Street and North McCoy Street, on the left when traveling east on West College Street. Marker is located at McCoy Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 600 W College St, Independence MO 64050, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 174 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on October 19, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.